Happy Independence Day!
Which also happens to fall on the fourth of July
I’ve said many times over that words matter, and today is a good example of why. Most Americans think of today as “The Fourth of July,” a day for picnics and fireworks, family and fun. There is certainly nothing wrong with any of these, but does referring to the holiday that falls today as “The Fourth of July” do a disservice to what the day stands for?
Today, we commemorate with picnics and fireworks, the independence of a country. That independence was bought at the cost of the blood of many men. I’m not saying today we should be specifically memorializing those men, but we should remember what they fought for. They fought for independence from a tyrannical government that was far removed from them. They fought for independence from being overly-burdened by taxes used to support that which did not in any way benefit them. They fought for independence to find their own way, to govern themselves, to enjoy liberty.
If we read the Declaration of Independence, we find that these men declared their independence so that they could enjoy their God-given rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” rights which belong to every man regardless of color or creed, age or ambition, piety or politics. The key among these is liberty, for, without life, there is no liberty, and without liberty, there is no pursuit. So, in 1776, several young, intelligent men, signed a document pledging to one another their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” to fight that each might have liberty.
Today, despite all our celebration, people forget this or are simply ignorant of the history. Many wish government, a government that is far removed from most of us, to coercively force us to think a certain way, to accept ideas that are contrary to the principles upon which this country was founded, to trample underfoot the blood of those who gave their lives for that very liberty they cherished. They seek to use coercion to infringe on others’ liberty. This is why referring to today’s holiday is anathema to perpetuating the memory - today is a day to celebrate independence, liberty, the values for which our founding fathers fought.
Let us remember today as Independence Day, something unique to America’s history, not merely “The Fourth of July,” just another day on the calendar when we take the day off from work. Let us remember the independence for which those men fought over 200 years ago, and the liberty they sought to bestow upon all who inhabit this great land. Let us all take up the fight for the liberty of each and every one, a liberty that respects the rights and liberty of others while seeking to make its own way without coercion. Maybe take some time to read the Declaration of Independence and get a better understanding of what today represents.
I think the problem isn’t that they forgot today is in celebration of America freedom. Rather they forgot what American freedom is and look to the politicians to define the freedoms they so desire. They forget the sacrifices many made for them to have the right of speech and assembly to voice their opinions while dishonoring the true reason for them sacrifices
I was thinking about this very thing just yesterday. Many people use this holiday, as many of our national holidays that are intended to honor the brave men and women that have served this country in the past, as a day to NOT have to go to work and an opportunity to "party" and get drunk. They give NO thought as to WHY the day is so important in the first place. It's really sad to me that so many are so clueless about so much of how our government was founded and how it is INTENDED to work.
I do pray that you and your family have a Blessed Independence Day, along with everyone else of course. Do be safe in your celebration, no matter what forms those celebrations may take. (I have already seen several stories of people getting harmed/killed in fireworks explosions).