Independence Day

Why is today different from and yet similar to other holidays we celebrate?

Holidays in general, whether historic, patriotic or religious, are generally understood in society with at least a basic sense of their meaning.

Yet, it seems that what is more universal about all these special days of dedication is that they seem to gray out the core particularity of their significance, giving way to celebration and social activities associated with them after centuries of evolving customs and practices.

Perish the thought of being misunderstood, I proudly admit that, like most people, I enjoy celebrating and am always ready for wholesome social activities, leisure time, relaxation, picnics, fireworks, exciting sports events, days at the beach or pool, vacations, long weekends, music, reading and travel away from the mundane routine of everyday life.

Still, my purpose is to do my part ot ensure that we take appropriate note of the occasion we are commemorating and avoid making each holiday just another day off from work and other productive activities.

On a July 4th, two-hundred thirty-six years ago, a group of 56 courageous leaders, scholars and intellectuals representing the thirteen American Colonies, came together after decades of having their people suffer the rule and consequences of a foreign despot who neither needed nor did anything to protect or preserve their freedom, their will or their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

For many of us, it's been many years since we studied our country's history, a saga of America filled with stories of suffering need, hard work, courage and heroism, along with the willingness to put their lives on the line to defend the liberty endowed each of us by our Creator.

July would be a good time to do some reading of history. Check out you local library for print and electronic versions of some great historical literature and films.

A great place to start might be the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America as a source of understanding how and why it was carefully crafted by Thomas Jefferson who authored this historic document based on the common ideas and idealogies of the people of the Commonwealth of Virgina, along with the other twelve American colonies of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Our history is our nation's heritage.  We need to treasure it and share it with the world.

The more who understand it,     the greater the pride we may take in our our democratic republic and preserve it.

Happy Independence Day