Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July?

As you start the grill to throw on some hot dogs, hamburgers or steaks, take a moment to remember what it is we’re celebrating.

On July 4, 1776, it is the day the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence. Our country started with 13 colonies at that time.

George Washington once said “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.”

Liberty sure grew, to 50 states in fact, and the greatest nation in the world that upholds truth, justice, freedom for all and so much more.

Along the way our country has grown and so have the people, standing together to shape a nation that continues to evolve.

On Dec. 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party was an act of defiance against British rule. The people stood against the unjust taxing of tea at the colonies’ expense.

On July 19, 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention was held, the first convention for women’s right. In the years that followed women were no longer seen as a second-class citizen.

On Dec. 5, 1955, the Montgomery bus boycott was held starting with Rosa Parks. It led to the start of the civil rights movement for African Americans, other minorities followed.

Those are only a few times our nation has been etched by its people.

But as we look to what is happening now, it’s unfortunate to see how the people are shaping our country.

On Friday, a disgruntled doctor walked into a hospital in New York, killed one person and wounded more.

Also Friday, a police officer in San Antonio died of a head wound he suffered during a shootout Thursday.

A suspect unexpectedly opened fire on two officers after the officers were trying to interview the gunman and another man. The suspect was killed in the shootout.

A few weeks ago, a gunman opened fire on Republican congressmen as they practiced baseball in Virginia. The gunman was a member of the opposite party.

Those are not just examples of the violence that currently plagues our country, but the idea that violence is the answer to the root of our country’s issues.

Distrust of police, divided political parties, immigration, health care are only a few issues that are currently dividing our country.

But the epidemic that is hurting our country is the idea that violence can solve those issues, when in fact is it is only further tearing us apart.

In 1776, when we became independent we became united, but right now, that unification is being threatened.

We can’t be divided if we are to be a nation. We have to stand together against the issues that face us — we’ve done it for 241 years, but not by fighting against each other, but by standing with each other.

So this Fourth of July, as you marvel at the fireworks, have a few beers with the family and remind yourself why we have this holiday — because we are “One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”