As we sit down and celebrate the 4th of July this year we should take a moment and remember why we celebrate this day. The 4th of July is not just a day to watch the Nathan’s hot dog contest. (See: http://nathansfamous.com) It is a time to remember how great our country is and how special it is when compared to other civilizations.
One of my favorite periods of our history is the Revolutionary War period. This time period not only shaped the people that lived during that era, but it also helped shape people of today. On paper, the 13 colonies fighting against the greatest empire of that time should have been a “quick scrimmage” for the British. (See: http://www.britishempire.co.uk/) However, we are able to celebrate today because the heart and a little luck found in the people of the 13 colonies overcame that great empire.
You can look throughout American History (the good parts and the distasteful parts) and find that there was always a person or group who stood up for what was right in the world. Out of all of the great documents/speeches produced in United States History, the most influential in my point of view is the Declaration of Independence. (See: http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/) Specifically, the phrase:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
As this 4th of July comes and goes, I wonder how people feel about the United States and her legacy.
Happy 4th of July!