What is so important about July 4th?

[Pat Coyle]

Independence Day, better known today as the 4th of July
holiday, as all Americans know, is a grand and great celebration in the United States. It is often a favorite holiday of kids who especially love the fireworks activities with the loud noises and colorful displays. The fireworks, however, are but a symbol of the meaning behind the 4th of July holiday as we observe this celebration of independence.

Do Americans truly appreciate the reason for the celebration? Or have we lost our way?

Frederick Douglass, 1852 - This, for the purpose of this celebration, is the Fourth of July. It is the birth day of your National Independence, and of your political freedom. This, to you, as what the Passover was to the emancipated people of God. It carries your minds back to the day, and to the act of your great deliverance; and to the signs, and to the wonders, associated with that act, and that day. This celebration also marks the beginning of another year of your national life; and reminds you that the Republic of America is now 76 years old. l am glad, fellow-citizens, that your nation is so young. Seventy-six years, though a good old age for a man, is but a mere speck in the life of a nation. Three score years and ten is the allotted time for individual men; but nations number their years by thousands. According to this fact, you are, even now, only in the beginning of your national career, still lingering in the period of childhood. I repeat, I am glad this is so. There is hope in the thought, and hope is much needed, under the dark clouds which lower above the horizon. Read the rest of this speech

What is so important about July 4th? Share your thoughts here

[Taylor Martin]

It's an interesting day that helps to promote more mythologies.

Did you know that the Liberty Bell was named for the freeing of the slaves?

Did you know that most of the Founding Parents of this nation were Deists? They believed that if there is a deity, it handled the universe like a pocket watch. It just wound it up and then let the watch do it's timekeeping.

The painting depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence could not have happened like that? That the final signature on the document was not until years after 1776?

What the Fourth does represent it that the U.S.A. is on the right track and we've still got a long race to run. Here's an example of what the folks back in the 1800s felt.

'er vast Columbia's varied clime
Her cities, forests, shores and dales;
In riding majesty, sublime,
Immortal liberty prevails,

Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice
To tyrants never bend the knee
But join with heart, and soul and voice
For Jefferson and Liberty.
(Thomas Jefferson's Campaign Song, 1803)

Happy Fourth!


THM

[David A Wachtel]

The Decleration of Independence was signed by 56 of the 64 delegates to the Continental Congress, the signing taking place on August 2, 1776. Thomas McKean, Delaware delegate, was the last person to sign.

The Liberty Bell was originally called "The Province Bell". It was changed due to the inscription on it that says, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout all the Land Unto all Inhabitants Thereof".

[David A Wachtel]

BTW...the reason the McKean signed later was that his name was omitted from the version that Congress authorized to be printed in January of 1777. It is not known why that occurred or when McKean came back and signed again.

The painting shows 28 delegates. It's meant to be a depicition of the signing. It's in the National Archives and was done by artist Barry Faulkner.

[Steve Stuck]

Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence: Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured. Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War.

[Leanne Hoagland-Smith]

The greatest experiment in unleashing the freedom within human potential continues in spite of all the challenges. No other civilization has achieved so much in such a short time. Happy Birthday America, God Bless America, Leanne Hoagland-Smith

[Bill Bean]

I don't think we've lost focus. A holiday like July 4th is at least one reason why. We do need to be reminded not to take what we have for granted. I gripe and complain about problems in our country, especially the government, and that's one of the great things about the U.S. To paraphrase the Churchill quote, our way of doing it is certainly not the best but it is better than all the others.

[Tom Davis]

Probably because my wife puts together a large Memorial Day service here in town, Memorial Day has become the major Patriotic Holiday of the year for me. But I agree with what Bill Bean said here: We do need to be reminded not to take what we have for granted.

So have fun today, spend time with family and friends, watch some fireworks somewhere, but also pause to be thankful you're an American and maybe take some time to think about what you could do to help us become an even better nation.

[Joe Dager]

From the Omnivoracious - Hungry for the next good book®
We sometimes forget how important our heritage is!

[Beth Ruble]

I have always been fascinated with American history but I have to admit that since 9/11, every July 4th seems to be more reverent than the last. There are things that I used to take for granted that now bring tears to my eyes such as seeing the one and only Hendricks Country survivor of Pearl Harbor in the Brownsburg Parade, seeing the honor guard with the flag, and seeing my seven year old grandson (born one day after 9/11) tell a serviceman "Thank you for helping me to be free." The 4th of July is much more than a celebration of our Independence from Great Britain. It's a celebration of the endurance and courage of the American spirit, past, present and, God willing, future!