When I think of the Fourth of July, so
many sights, sounds and scents come to mind. I instantly smell the heavenly aroma
of backyard barbeques shared with family and friends; I recall big, bright, beautiful
fireworks lighting up the night sky, and can’t help but hear “America the Beautiful” sung by the legendary
Ray Charles play in my head. I could go on and on, but I’m sure you get the
picture. While these are all wonderful elements that make this holiday special,
I think it is important that we take time to consider why we celebrate the
Fourth of July, and reflect on what makes the United States of America such an
amazing country. I have compiled a short
list of a few things that make me proud to be an American.
We are a country based on the principles of freedom. 238 years ago, July 4th, 1776 to be exact, the Continental Congress representing the thirteen colonies, finalized and adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. This is a powerful document that has guided our country since its founding. The following line particularly stands out to me and in my opinion serves as the backbone of this country: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (US 1776) As you can see from this line alone, our country’s foundation was built on the principles of freedom and liberty, by which we are so incredibly blessed and should hold dear.
We are a country based on the principles of freedom. 238 years ago, July 4th, 1776 to be exact, the Continental Congress representing the thirteen colonies, finalized and adopted the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. This is a powerful document that has guided our country since its founding. The following line particularly stands out to me and in my opinion serves as the backbone of this country: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (US 1776) As you can see from this line alone, our country’s foundation was built on the principles of freedom and liberty, by which we are so incredibly blessed and should hold dear.
Our
country is known as the land of opportunity. From the beginning, the United
States has been known as the land of possibilities. People have chosen and continue
to choose to come to this country because of the promise of the “American
Dream.” Our freedoms make this idea a reality because, here in the U.S., we are
given the ability to start from nothing and become something great. Blessed
with an abundance of natural resources and the freedom for individuals to take
advantage of them, people have been able to build their lives through
innovation; thus, propelling our country to be the world leader it is today.
We
couldn’t be the home of the free without the help of the brave. Today, we have hundreds of
thousands of service men and women who everyday risk their lives to protect us, our basic freedoms, and our
democracy. Our history is rich with military endeavors that have served to
do just that. There is no better time than Independence Day to thank our
veterans and current service members for their sacrifice and bravery. Without
them, we could not be the global power we are today.
Now that you’ve read my list, I challenge you to create one for yourself; share it with others and encourage them to do the same. Holidays are a great time for celebration, but they also are a wonderful time for reflection. If you would like a little more Independence Day inspiration, take a look at our Pinterest Page.
Now that you’ve read my list, I challenge you to create one for yourself; share it with others and encourage them to do the same. Holidays are a great time for celebration, but they also are a wonderful time for reflection. If you would like a little more Independence Day inspiration, take a look at our Pinterest Page.
Happy Fourth of July and May God Continue
to Bless America!
Photo Courtesy of: Mar Lidia
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