America's Independence

July 4th is traditionally the most patriotic weekend of the year, celebrations of America’s independence have looked pretty much the same since 1776. The first recorded celebration using fireworks took place in 1777 and soon became a widespread practice throughout the cities and towns of America. It can be easy to forget the history behind the 4th of July when one is in the midst of celebrations with family and friends, but this weekend make sure to remember the brave actions taken by the ordinary men and women of the American Colonies. These actions which sought to shake off the tyrannical embrace of Great Britain not only succeeded but brought forth a unique American culture founded in ideals of freedom and liberty. The 4th of July is not only a celebration of America as a nation, but also the people who walked with our nation in her days of infancy. The last letter ever written by Thomas Jefferson on June 24, 1826 states on the topic of the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, “May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. These are grounds of hope for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.”