Today is a day for all Americans to honor and celebrate. Everyone celebrates in their own way with their own traditions, but while we break out our grills and fireworks we have to remember our history and the events which took place over two centuries ago.

     July 4, 1776 is a date every American knows or should know as the day our brave founding fathers and patriots of the 18th century declared their independence from Great Britain. Many countries throughout history have done the same, but our independence was special. We didn’t wait for anyone to recognize or grant us our independence. We declared our own independence from a tyrannical government, and we knew we weren’t turning back.

     The founders of this country knew the dangers of signing their names at the bottom of that declaration. They knew the consequence could mean death by hanging for going against the King, but out of their bravery and hope for posterity they did what they knew was right. They began an experiment that has continued for 235 years and hopefully many more to come.

     The founders knew what it was like to live under an oppressive government and knew an individual could govern himself much better than a King who ruled from thousands of miles away.

     As we celebrate this day, remember the bravery of the men and women who sacrificed or gave their lives for the liberty we enjoy today, and remember those who continue to give everything they have so the American experiment may continue to all future generations.

     Although he was a couple days off, believing American Independence would be celebrated on July 2, John Adams was dead on with his idea on how the momentous occasion should be celebrated:

 

"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not." --John Adams

Happy Independence Day!

--Taylor