Freedom

Freedom.

I am so thankful for our freedom. We truly live in the greatest country in the world.

Today America celebrates freedom and remembers those who risked and gave their lives to give it to us. We also should share this history with our children. It is too easy to just have a BBQ with family and friends and watch some fireworks. It goes way beyond that. Believe me, I am all for it. We are having some friends over later for a BBQ. I just think it’s important to know why we are celebrating.

Did you know that the Declaration of Independence that we have on display in Washington D.C. is dated July 4th, 1776, was actually signed on August 2nd? That’s right. The leaders of our country declared our freedom on July 4th, but only two people signed the original declaration on July 4th. The original was lost. A new declaration was written and signed on August 2nd, 1776 and signed by 56 people. The words are the same. Just wanted to share that little known fact.

The words that were penned on July 4th still hold true today…”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” There was no question to our founding fathers that our freedom and equality comes from God. They wanted to establish America declaring that we have “…certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” We would all do well to remember that and to pass it on to the next generation.

So let’s celebrate today and always be thankful. Consider starting a new tradition today – read the Declaration of Independence at your party…or at the very least the first few paragraphs. I am.

Happy 4th of July everybody! Enjoy your day!