Independence Day

Today marks 241 years of our great nation

Today is Independence Day—the Fourth of July—when we celebrate the founding of this great nation we call the United States of America.

It was on July 4, 1776, that the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence.

Actually, America had already been an independent country for two days before the Declaration was approved. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved the resolution declaring the United States a free nation that had been proposed the month before by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia.

Massachusetts delegate and future President John Adams, writing to his wife Abigail, predicted that July 2 would be a national holiday:

“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.” Adams wrote.

It was not to be. The Declaration—an explanation of the reasons why the colonies had made the move to break away from England—was approved on July 4. And that’s the day that has come to be celebrated as the birthday of our republic.

It was a great and noble undertaking. And one fraught with peril. No colony had ever before broken away from its master and declared independence. Great Britain’s economic strength was in her colonial system and she wasn’t about to let the 13 she had in America go without a fight.

The Revolutionary War, in which many brave men gave their lives so these colonies could be free, settled the matter. Great Britain was no longer in charge. The people of the United States would determine their own destiny.

And so we have for the 241 years since that day in Philadelphia when our Founding Fathers voted to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to the cause of American liberty.

We have endured internal strife, even a bloody and heartbreaking Civil War. We have successfully fought off threats from beyond our borders. We have been the salvation of democracy and freedom not only at home but around the world.

No, we as a people might not always agree on the best course for our nation’s future. But we embrace, enjoy and exercise our all-important right to voice our opinions and praise or criticize our government whenever we choose. We have a free press to keep an eye on those in power. We have the freedom to worship as we choose. We have rule of law. And as a people we decide our differences at the voting booth, not by violence.

It’s a great legacy. And it has lasted. And with God’s grace and our own firm loyalty, it will last.

Happy birthday, America. And happy Independence Day to one and all.