We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.[1]
In a letter addressed to his wife Abagail, John Adam's wrote, "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch 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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."[2]
Families often celebrate Independence Day by hosting or attending a picnic or barbecue and take advantage of the day off and, in some years, long weekend to gather with relatives. Decorations (e.g., streamers, balloons, and clothing) are generally colored red, white, and blue, the colors of the American flag. Parades often are in the morning, while fireworks displays occur in the evening at such places as parks, fairgrounds, or town squares.
Independence Day fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs such as the national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner", "God Bless America", "America the Beautiful", "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", "This Land Is Your Land", "Stars and Stripes Forever", and, regionally, "Yankee Doodle" in northeastern states and "Dixie" in southern states. Some of the lyrics recall images of the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812.[1]
Tourists from all over the world come to Independence Hall in Philadelphia to see The Liberty Bell - an international symbol of freedom. The 2,000-pound Liberty Bell rang when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Cast in London in 1752, the original liberty bell cracked on the very first strike in Philadelphia after arriving from England. The bell was recast (using the metal from the old bell) but the second belll was defective too. A third (and last) bell was cast which includes this inscription:[3]
"Proclaim liberty throughout all the land
unto all the inhabitants thereof... "
The inspiration for this inscription came directly from Leviticus 25:10 found in the King James Bible. The men and leaders of that time were God fearing and I thank the Lord for that.
Did You Know:[1]
- Held since 1785, the Bristol Fourth of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island is the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States.
- Since 1916, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City supposedly started as a way to settle a dispute among four immigrants as to who was the most patriotic. (I wonder, is there anybody today who would fight over being the most patriotic?)
[1]^ Wikipedia at Wikipedia.org
[2]^ "Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776, ‘Had a Declaration…’". Adams Family Papers. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/aea/cfm/doc.cfm?id=L17760703jasecond. Retrieved on 2009-06-28.
[3]^ http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/National_Symbols/Liberty_Bell.html
