July 4th, Why We Are Free

July 4th. Every self respecting American knows this date, as well as may foreign people and those seeking to become "American". What makes this day so special, and what happened on this day? Before you start throwing virtual tomatoes and other rotten fruit, I want you to ask yourself if you know what July 4^th means to you. Do you know what it means to your forefathers?

Is this just another holiday were we gather with family, have a barbecue, and watch fireworks? Is it just another payed holiday? Or is it the day the set in motion the events that lead to our ability to have barbeque's and watch fire works without interference? I don't want this article to be a tirade or a fountain of frustrations, so I am sorry if I get off track.

July 4^th 1776: American colonies declare independence.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims the independence of a new United States of America from Great Britain and its king.

The declaration came 442 days after the opening shots of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord. This world-changing document captured the sparks that would eventually become a nation. It captured the hopes of a nation and all people: "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."

In the Continental Congress on July 2^nd, 1776, a vote on a Virgina motion calling for separation from Britain and her king was approved. July 4^th,1776, after minor revision, 12 colonies formally adopted the declaration. On July 19^th, as the 13^th colony, New York approved the Declaration. It was signed on August 2^nd of the same year.

The war would last five years, in those years we had defeats and triumphs, France would come to our aid, and a beloved general would betray a nation. Many lives were lost in that titanic struggle. Many sacrifices were made. Every blessing that we enjoy today is because so many men an women made it possible.

It officially ended on September 3, 1783 when Brittan signed the Treaty of Paris.

When all was said and done America was still a fledgling nation. An offer was made to Washington to be king, but he turned it down. He believed that creating another nation ruled by one would just put America back were it started. So Congress set to the task of creating a new nation free from oppression and injustice. A task that still survives today, each generation must strive to make this nation and world a better place.

So I end with a plea. Please remember what this nation is about, what we were founded on. Remember the sacrifices countless men and women made and still make to keep our nation free. I hope that one day we will make them proud.

Remember.

The Declaration of Independence: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/declaration.html
Info on the Treaty of Paris: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/ar/14313.htm