We Americans sometimes take for granted the many blessings we enjoy. That’s easy to do when we have the perpetual motion machine of politics always on the lookout for the next thing to enrage us.
Politics aside, though, this 4th of July, wouldn’t it be nice to think about the many blessings we enjoy living in the United States of America?
Take the fact that you are free to read this meandering prose or any other, better work. That is only because Americans have sacrificed, fought and died to preserve your basic freedoms.
You also have the right to express yourself without fear of government reprisal — up to the point that your expression infringes upon another’s rights. With freedom comes responsibility.
You have the freedom to worship and associate freely. You have the gift in America of freedom of conscience, and the freedom to make your life your own. You are free to live, learn, love and give of yourself and your talents. These are chief among the reasons why so many historically have flocked to our shores — to make the best of their lives for themselves, their children and their families.
As a nation, we are far from perfect. Yet we have a rock-solid foundation of mutual respect — or at least we do when we call upon the better angels of our nature — that allows us to come together to pursue the common good.
And as Americans, we do have responsibilities to ourselves and to future generations to keep the blessings of liberty we inherit from those who came before and who sacrificed so much.
Twelve score and eight years ago tomorrow, the Second Continental Congress of these future United States unanimously agreed to adopt the Declaration of Independence, throwing off the yoke of the British crown. King George III was mad about this revolting development, which in short order led to the Revolutionary War and our nation’s hard-won founding.
From the beginning, our founders recognized that July 4 should forever be a day of national celebration. In a letter to Abigail Adams coinciding with the Declaration, Founding Father and second President John Adams wrote that this day “ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
Who among us could argue with that? Well, apparently that Congress that the founders subsequently established could, because they took until 1870 to declare the 4th of July a federal holiday. Which just goes to show, as our history tells us, sometimes it takes some doing to become that more perfect union we’re always pursuing.
In any event, we Americans soldiered forth with bold resolve to make the 4th the most American of summer traditions, bringing together family and friends for barbecues and picnics. And there is a bit of good news on that score this year.
“Hoosiers are paying an average of $68.33 for a cookout feeding 10 people this summer, or $6.83 per person – a 2% decrease compared to last year,” Indiana Farm Bureau reported in its annual July 4 survey. Hot dog! Finally, some good news on inflation. That’s something to celebrate, too.
Happy 4th, Americans. Have a blast! John Adams insists.
