“I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other…”
written by John Adams, Second President of the United States of America, in a letter to his wife, Abigail.

Happy Fourth of JulyHappy Fourth of JulyHappy Fourth of July

On July 4, 1776 the members of the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. In so doing, they committed treason against Great Britain, a crime punishable by death.

The first celebration of the anniversary of the colonies’ Declaration of Independence was celebrated with gun fire, fireworks, lighting candles and ringing bells. That declaration was only the beginning of gaining independence. The British weren’t taken with the idea of losing their American colonies, so the war and bloodshed raged on until 1783. In the end, the rag-tag American farmers defeated the most powerful Armies of the time and earned our independence.

I love our history. We are a country born out of revolution and radical ideas and philosophies. No one at the time thought this small, diverse country could last. The very document declaring our independence was radical in the extreme for the time. The notion that people have certain inalienable rights that can not be violated was unheard of.

The Declaration of Independence has since become one of the most admired and copied political documents of all time. Through the years, that document and the American Revolution have been a beacon of hope for those who love freedom.

The independent colonies did survive and created a form of government that was enlightened way beyond it’s time. Through another war and more bloodshed the individual states eventually formed the strong bond of a nation.

Those radical ideas formed in the minds of our Founding Fathers of a nation of the people, for the people and by the people, have proven to be the foundation of the most successful form of government in the history of the world.

We have reason to be proud.

While we celebrate the courage of our Founding Fathers, it’s important to remember the courage of those who continue to defend the liberties set forth for us on that day.

Have fun, cook out, go boating, set off firecrackers and watch fireworks and remember our Soldiers who are defending our right to enjoy these things while being denied these enjoyments themselves.

Here are some links that might give you some ideas on how you can ease their burden a little. The Fourth of July is the perfect time to honor them. If someone has some suggestions, please feel free to leave them in the comments.

God Bless American.

The Cotillion Celebrates the 4th: PC Free Zone (and here), Fausta, Conservative Princess,