Happy Fourth! Do you ever wonder why we celebrate the fourth of July? I bet you are thinking, why is she asking this question? We all know that the 4th of July is more than barbecues, parades, and fireworks. It is our country’s birthday, America’s Independence Day. Right? The short answer is maybe. Maybe? Didn’t our founding fathers sign the declaration of independence on July 4, 1776? I thought so too, but we are wrong.

  Visit History.com’s The Day in History for July 4, and you might begin to think that July 2nd is our real independence day because July 2, 1776 is the day America’s continental congress approved Virginia’s motion to separate from Britain. Keep reading and you might say, no July 4th is our independence day because 12 colonies adopted the declaration of independence on July 4, 1776. Or, you might say, wait, our independence day is July 19, 1776 when New York approved our declaration. Then, you might say wait again, our independence day is actually August 2, 1776, the day America signed the declaration of Independence.

  When is America’s Independence Day? Even when I look at all of these dates I am still not sure we can declare any of them America’s Independence Day. I can only say that each date represents one step in America’s choice to declare independence. They say nothing about the war it took; the Revolutionary war began long before the signing of the declaration of Independence, and continued with Britain until 1783. Native Americans remained loyal to Britain until 1795. Take all of this into account and I still cannot tell you exactly when America’s Independence Day actually is. I only know that we need to celebrate our independence and pray you agree that we need to do more than barbeque, attend a parade, or watch the fireworks.

  This July 4th, let’s take a moment to thank every American soldier, first responder, civil rights leader, and legislator, past and present that keep our independence alive. Let’s celebrate the men and women who dedicate their lives to America’s freedom and let’s not stop there. As we fire up our barbecues and light up the sky, let’s open our hearts in gratitude for every family that creates, supports, and loves the men and women who grow and protect our Declaration Of Independence and the “unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” it promises us.

  This July 4th let’s remember that a document does not make us independent or guarantee our freedom. To keep these rights we must protect them. For our country to be free we must do all that is in our power to give every American the “unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” We must breathe life into America’s Declaration of Independence.

  Happy Fourth of July! I look forward to your thoughts and learning about what freedom means to you. Please give me a ring at 781-331-5308 or, if you prefer, email me at kristan@mooneytunco.com.