Happy Fourth of July

In honor of the upcoming holiday, I thought it would be interesting to take a look back at an article I wrote in 2013 for that year’s Fourth of July.

It seemed only fitting, given the dire straits our country finds itself in with the ongoing turmoil in Washington D.C. and the soon-to-happen election that could either move us forward as a country or send us back to the days before our country was founded, to take a look at what the Fourth of July actually represents.

And given what the Fourth of July honors, I hope that all Americans, who are eligible to vote, will do so in November and make their vote count to safeguard our democracy and not allow a convicted felon to plunge us into the dark ages.

Here is my article:

In just a couple of days our nation will celebrate Independence Day – (of course) better known as the Fourth of July. This federal holiday is most commonly known for fireworks, parades, barbeques, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions and political speeches and ceremonies, but how many of us really know the origin behind this national holiday?

Unlike Memorial Day that honors those in the military for their service and Labor Day that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers (traditionally those in the trade and labor organizations), the Fourth of July is actually one of the most important days in our nation’s history, as it honors the legal separation between the (then) original thirteen colonies from Great Britain. The separation actually occurred on July 2, 1776 when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence, declaring the United States independent from their rulers in Great Britain.

At that time Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4, 1776, but historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4 or not even though some of the founding fathers – including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin – all later wrote that they had signed it on that now illustrious date. Regardless of – or in spite of historical data – the Fourth of July is obviously one of the biggest national traditions within the United States for over 230 years.

As I am sure, everyone celebrates the big holiday in their own way whether it’s with family and friends at a baseball game, having a big BBQ in the back yard or local park, checking out the local fireworks or even taking a trip to some of our nation’s landmarks. Whatever way in which you and your family/friends celebrate this auspicious day in our country’s history, may it be filled with lot of laughs, great food and celebrations (but please do not drink and drive).

Happy Fourth of July!