Fireworks, What Does It Really Mean?

Federal holidays. They come, they go. We get a day, or days, off from school or work. We have fun, eat good food, and gather together with family and friends.

The next federal holiday on the calendar is Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July. This happens to be my favorite holiday, and I always want to celebrate and honor our founding fathers by remembering.

Let’s Celebrate Independence Day

Red, white, and blue. Patriotic-ness. Rah-Rah America. Fireworks. Parades. Bar-B-Ques. Fun with loved ones. Relaxation. Fun and games. And all that jazz. These are some of the things that come to mind typically.

When I think of Independence Day, I often think about a portion of a letter I learned about in school, written by John Adams to his wife Abigail Adams, in 1776.

Historically speaking, we were made independent from Britain on July 2nd, 1776, and the next day John Adams wrote his wife a letter.

My favorite part of the letter reads, “

 “…...The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, 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 Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

From my understanding, this was like a prophecy, or prediction that this day would be a day of immense celebration for America. Not just a day to relax and have fun, but to celebrate our great nation and our independence in a variety of different ways.

One thing I try to do every year is take the time to read the Declaration of Independence and reflect on each part - the 12 pillars of freedom listed, the 27 grievances, and the four acknowledgements of God.

I think a big part of celebrating Independence Day is taking the time to read the Declaration, and reflect. Reflect on our history. Reflect on our founding fathers, and how they “mutually pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor” for the birth of a new nation.

The Twelve Pillars Of Freedom

The twelve pillars of freedom are important principles that America, as a country, hold dear, and that were ‘pillars’ that our government as a new nation was built upon:

1) National Sovereignty
2) Natural Law
3) Self-Evident Truth
4) Human Equality
5) Inalienable Rights
6) The Inalienable Right To Life
7)The Inalienable Right To Liberty
8) The Inalienable Right To Property (or the pursuit of happiness)
9) The Primary Purpose Of Government
10) Popular Sovereignty
11) Federalism and States’ Rights
12) Divine Providence

Not only were there grievances, categorized by three separate groups - "representation", "limited government", and "separation of powers" -  against the King of England, but there were these core principles, and the acknowledgments of God, who is the real reason why our nation has been considered to be great, and why we have been blessed in past decades.

So Is There A Right Way to Celebrate?

No, there isn’t necessarily a proper way to celebrate, but I think we’d be remiss to let Independence Day go by without reflecting on the reasons why we are able to live in this great country, be grateful for our found fathers, and simply reflect.

Yes, fireworks is a huge highlight for most of us Americans, but the best thing in my opinion, is stepping back in time to 1776, when the Declaration was signed, the great experiment began, and a birth of a new nation commenced.


*image found on google*