Independence Day and What It Means

I think that it is important for us to remember what the Fourth of July is really all about. To many it is a day of parades, festivals, cookouts, and fireworks. It is unfortunate that many have forgotten why we celebrate this holiday, or simply do not care anymore. Independence Day is a wonderful and fun holiday after all, but I would like to take a moment to remember those that came before us and made it possible for us to celebrate our freedom. Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July in 1976. This declared our freedom from Great Britain.

John Adams had predicted that the Second of July would be celebrated for generations as the day of deliverance because that was the day that the original Thirteen Colonies became legally separated from Great Britain. He was only off by two days. The Fourth was chosen because that is the day that the Declaration of Independence was finally approved. Despite that Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all wrote that they signed the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July, many historians argue that they believe it was actually signed on the Second of August.

The Fourth of July was celebrated in one way or another since 1777. Bristol, Rhode Island began celebrating the Fourth of July by firing thirteen shots in the morning and again at the end of the evening. In Philadelphia they celebrated the first Independence Day with a dinner for the Continental Congress, speeches, prayers, music, parades, fireworks, and a thirteen gun salute. They even put red, white, and blue, bunting on the ships.

George Washington celebrated the Fourth of July in 1778 by giving his soldiers a double ration of rum and giving an artillery salute. In Paris, France John Adams and Benjamin Franklin held a dinner with their fellow Americans that were there at the time.

The first state legislature to recognize the Fourth of July was the Massachusetts General Court in 1781.

The Bristol, Rhode Island held the first annual Fourth of July celebration in 1785.

The term “Independence Day” was first recorded in 1791.

Eastport, Maine holds the largest Independence Day celebration in the state. Their first celebration was in 1820, and was the first recorded Fourth of July Celebration.

Federal Employees first began getting Independence Day off as an unpaid holiday in 1870. In 1938 the holiday became a paid federal holiday.

Since then Independence Day has remained pretty much the same. We celebrate with family get-togethers, bbq’s, festivals, fairs, parades, and fireworks. It is the most important non-religious holiday in American History. Without the reason for having Independence Day, we would probably not be able to celebrate a lot of other holidays, or celebrate them the way we want to.

As a veteran I like to remember the brave men that fought for our freedom and Independence on the Fourth of July, just as I do on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. I am proud to have served a country that has so many holidays to celebrate our freedom, and our soldiers. How do you celebrate Independence Day?