Tomorrow is the 4th, Independence Day. The day that over 200 years ago, the original American colonists declared their freedom from British rule. People throughout this country will be celebrating their freedom in their own unique ways. Fireworks, hotdogs, potato salad will be the norm. The sale of these all American foods and the charcoal needed to cook will increase among grocery stores everywhere. Firework stands will pop up alongside roadways that ordinarily would be an illegal establishment any other time of year. The sound of fireworks will be heard exploding in small towns and cities in all corners of this great nation. It will be a celebration. A celebration guaranteed by one document and the 56 signatures of men who strongly believed in the freedom of American colonists.
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 2, 1776 and signed two days later. This one document evolving from the penmanship of Thomas Jefferson has been a template for other countries when realizing the need for their own independence. The document consisted of six different parts. The most widely known portion written was the preamble which states,
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Within the rights spoken of in the preamble, the Declaration goes on to say that if at any time government becomes destructive of these rights, it is the responsibility of the people to take action to form a new government. Not only is it the responsibility of the people, it is a right to alter or abolish that which impedes the safety and happiness of the people. After laying out the rights of the people, the Declaration goes on with the charges brought against the British rule, the King of England who at the time was King George III. The indictments are followed by denunciation of British rule and conclude with the declaration of freedom and independence for the original thirteen colonies.
The sixth part of the Declaration contained the signatures of fifty-six men representing the new states. The most famous signature was of John Hancock, the first to sign. Signing on a blank area, his signature was the largest. The term John Hancock became synonymous with putting a signature on a document.
We owe our freedom, our rights and life as we know it to those fifty six men whose bravery enabled them to fight against something much larger because of what they believed. The rights available to the American people should not be taken for granted. They should be embraced, valued and upheld. The freedoms that Americans are allowed are not commonplace throughout the world. They are the exception. The American Dream that is so sought after that people give up everything in other countries to come here for a small taste of what it is like to be an American.
I know for myself, tomorrow, when I am celebrating in whatever way I choose, I will remember. And, I will be thankful.
Happy 4th of July to All!
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 2, 1776 and signed two days later. This one document evolving from the penmanship of Thomas Jefferson has been a template for other countries when realizing the need for their own independence. The document consisted of six different parts. The most widely known portion written was the preamble which states,
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Within the rights spoken of in the preamble, the Declaration goes on to say that if at any time government becomes destructive of these rights, it is the responsibility of the people to take action to form a new government. Not only is it the responsibility of the people, it is a right to alter or abolish that which impedes the safety and happiness of the people. After laying out the rights of the people, the Declaration goes on with the charges brought against the British rule, the King of England who at the time was King George III. The indictments are followed by denunciation of British rule and conclude with the declaration of freedom and independence for the original thirteen colonies.
The sixth part of the Declaration contained the signatures of fifty-six men representing the new states. The most famous signature was of John Hancock, the first to sign. Signing on a blank area, his signature was the largest. The term John Hancock became synonymous with putting a signature on a document.
We owe our freedom, our rights and life as we know it to those fifty six men whose bravery enabled them to fight against something much larger because of what they believed. The rights available to the American people should not be taken for granted. They should be embraced, valued and upheld. The freedoms that Americans are allowed are not commonplace throughout the world. They are the exception. The American Dream that is so sought after that people give up everything in other countries to come here for a small taste of what it is like to be an American.
I know for myself, tomorrow, when I am celebrating in whatever way I choose, I will remember. And, I will be thankful.
Happy 4th of July to All!
