Independence Day: remembering those who made it happen

Independence Day painting by John Trumbull, in 1819.

by Gary Kennedy

Independence Day is an American holiday which is celebrated on July 4 of each year. It is the solemnity of the official document which declared the original 13 colonies independent from Great Britain, in the year 1776. During this time period the already existing Continental Congress formally adopted the need for total independence by drafting a document declaring such, not only for America, but to give notice to Great Britain of the action. Most of this most famous document was actually concluded on July 2 but the fourth became the day of celebration.

This was the birth of American Independence. The birth didn’t come without a cost. King George III, Then King of Britain, didn’t accept the Americans to be free from the British rule. Britain accrued a great debt fighting against the French and felt the American colonies owed a great portion of that debt which they should pay to Britain.

The Americans relied upon their Preamble which basically stated, the Americans were declaring “unalienble rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Thus a revolution was born to defend the new found freedoms that the colonists had grown to enjoy. Needless to say this was won at great expense to property and lives; the earth shook and thousands died. Britain’s need for money brought about “Taxation without Representation.” Eventually, it was declared that the total abolition from the British Crown was necessary.

The United States of America was born with the Articles of Confederation agreed to by Congress on November 15, 1777, and ratified on March 1, 1781. The United States Constitution with its Amendments became the foundation and governing laws of our nation.

The United States of America was born with the Articles of Confederation agreed to by Congress on November 15, 1777, and ratified on March 1, 1781. The United States Constitution with its Amendments became the foundation and governing laws of our nation.

The Revolutionary War was fought from April 1775 to September 1783. In 1775 George Washington was appointed Commander-In-Chief of the Continental Army. He later became the first president of these United States and earned the name, “Father of our Country.” His presidency lasted for two terms, 1789-1797. Later from general to president he was also elected president of the convention that wrote the United States Constitution. Needless to say the foundations of our great country was guided in part by a very remarkable man, George Washington, who himself owned thousands of acres of land in several states as well as the largest whiskey distilling company at the time.

There were many years of war and changes to our great country which in fact fill thousands of books for those who want to read about the greatest historical event, besides the faith in our God, who always takes first place.

All this being said, we, in retrospect, think of such things as the “American Flag,” created in 1792 by Betsy Ross. Although some things in our history are debated, this is what we accept as truth. Also, it would be fair to mention a young Maryland lawyer and poet by the name of Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lyrics of the “Star Spangled Banner” which later became our National Anthem. Key was a temporary prisoner on the HMS Tonnant, a British man ‘o war, which was bombarding Fort McHenry, at Baltimore, Maryland, during the war of 1812. Key was inspired by the flag still waving after a night filled with heavy bombardment. All these events are envisioned when we think about the Fourth of Jul; or should be.

The other part of this story is the congregation of family and friends to celebrate this event in a customary manner. We share our love of “God and Country” with the mischief of some fireworks to describe the original events of our country’s beginning.

So, from all of us, to all of our beloved and loyal readers, we hope this brief explanation of the Fourth of July will give you all that Great Spirit of Patriotism, as intended, while you enjoy the love of family and friends. May God be with you all and as always, God Bless America.