Proudly Waving the Red, White and Blue!

It's nearly the 4th of July (might be by the time I get this finished and posted), and it's the big summer holiday. I really like it when it falls on a weekend because we always get three-day weekend, but this year, since it falls on a Tuesday, we only get Tuesday off. So to work Monday, Tuesday off, and back to work on Wednesday! 

The 4th of July, or Independence Day, seems to mark the mid-point of summer so we are now on the downhill slope of summer. That means very little to us anymore since we don't have kids in school, but it still marks the fact that summer is flying by. It's also the big holiday for picnics and camping and fishing, and just generally all things summer. Since it's usually pretty hot by this time, and it certainly is this year, we usually opt to do as little as possible. I believe the plan for this year is to stay in the house near the air-conditioning and take a nap.

I think we are all guilty of celebrating the 4th of July in whatever fashion we choose to do it without really pondering, or even giving passing acknowledgement, of the reason for the holiday. For most of us it's just a good reason for a BBQ or picnic or just regarded as a coveted day off work.

Several years ago, when the 4th fell on a Sunday, the pastor at church asked if anyone could give the reason behind the day we were celebrating.  It took a high school student to explain the reason for celebrating Independence Day. I think it's pretty obvious that most of us have long forgotten our history and the events that have given us the freedoms we enjoy today.

So what events transpired to give us this middle of summer holiday? Well I had to brush up on my history in order to give an answer to that question. (I am just as guilty as anyone!) Click here to get the full story of Independence Day.

Up until July 4, 1776, the American Colonies were under the control of Great Britain, and had been since 1620 when those opposed to British rule, over-zealous taxation and the suppression of religious liberty picked up roots and came to a new land where they felt they would have the liberty from British oppression. It's a colorful story of the founding of Plymouth Colony and Pilgrims and Puritans and Indians and Salem witch hunts that is the foundation of what eventually became the United States of America. 

As discontent escalated and the Colonies became more opposed to British rule, there are some very exciting stories about Paul Revere staying out after curfew and a midnight tea party in Boston along with dozens of other exciting stories we learned in America History. Finally, some very wise and brave men formed the Continental Congress to begin the process of becoming an independent nation. On June 2, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress (and an ancestor in Mike's family tree) introduced a motion calling for the colony's independence. Thomas Jefferson was given the task of crafting that document. Congress signed the document on July 2nd and it was formally adopted on July 4, 1776. 

And, while we celebrate July 4th as a date marking our independence from British rule, the story is far from over. Following the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the United States of America fought the Revolutionary War for five more years to actually gain our independence. 

Now where would we be today had not all this happened 241 years ago? Well it's hard to say but possibly we would still be under British rule. Certainly we would not be enjoying the freedoms we have that are spelled out in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, both living documents that are so well-crafted that they are still relevant over two centuries after they were written. And, if we were under British rule, we probably wouldn't be debating 2nd Amendment rights because, as in Great Britain, they would have gone by the way years ago.

So when we watch the fireworks, we should think of the "rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air". The traditional colors of red, white and blue are the colors on the United States flag, which would not be flying over this great country had things not gone as they did. And I don't know where cookouts and picnics fit into the celebration of United States independence, but while eating a piece of fried chicken or a grilled burger, it is probably appropriate to stop and reflect on this thing that is at the center of our celebration, the freedom and privilege of living in the United States of America.

If you are interested in US history I would recommend the reading of three books written by Peter Marshall and David Manuel: The Light and the Glory, which tells of God's plan for the discovery of America and the early days of the British colonies; From Sea to Shining Sea, which is the story of the American Revolution and the early days of the United States of America; and Sounding Forth the Trumpet, that tells the story of US history through the Civil War, all available on Amazon.com. Adult history books, now that we wish we had paid attention in school!

I hope you all have a safe and happy 4th of July. Light off those firecrackers and grill those burgers. Swim or fish, but never forget the sacrifices made by the great men that made it possible!