For Freedom and Justice

Happy American Independence Day folks! I hope you are enjoying some bbq with friends and family on this rather arbitrary date. Apparently, most of those who signed the Declaration of Independence did so on the 2nd of July (some as late as August 2nd), and felt that it was that date that would remembered as the day the lines were drawn (which is odd in and of itself since parts of New England had been fighting England since 1775).

John Adams wrote:

“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 sure would have looked like a dumb ass if they had lost the war. I could just see how the British could have laughed at that last line about picnics if things had not played out so well for the American separatists.

The document was not finalized and voted on until the 4th, which is obviously why we celebrate the day as our Independence Day, but the date has never made sense to me. How about celebrating the day we won the war? Heck, the day the first shot was fired. I assume it is difficult to pin down a day to celebrate the birth of any nation; history rarely works in grand overtures that suite a public holiday.

But hey, the point is that we reflect on the meaning and accomplishments of our nation, and eat hot dogs till we are sick and must throw up all over our uncle’s front lawn. As Apu from the Simpson’s said: “Celebrate the birth of your country by blowing up a small part of it.”