In 1776, a unanimous declaration was signed by the most important men in the thirteen colonies (12 if you really know your history). 241 years ago our country became united and independent against Great Britain. On July 4th, 2017, 241 years later, our country celebrated this day. People shot fireworks, drank beer, got sunburns, and then slept the whole night only to wake up to another day.
Not only is July 4th a day to celebrate, but it's also a day of remembrance. We remember the dedication the Continental Congress put forth to permanently break ties with Great Britain. The sad fact is, few people actually know what happened. My generation was taught the basics in school about the Declaration of Independence and the important people such as John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin and the various others. But my generation has also easily forgotten the facts and the absolute importance this day has.
Last Year, Mark Dice uploaded this a video to his YouTube channel asking simple questions to men and women of the United States.
This video showed me the ignorance and the lack of respect people have for our country. Our forefathers risked their lives to ensure a future for us. They wrote against the King of England and fought for freedom and equality of all men. They explained the purpose of a government rather than a monarchy. They explained to foreign nations why they were choosing to separate from Great Britain. The Declaration proved to colonists that their loyalty should lie with the free states.
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.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. - Deceleration of Independence
It saddens me to see how people don't know the history of this amazing country we live in. Being a daughter of someone who served in the U.S. Army, I was brought up knowing the courage and sacrifice it takes to keep this country safe. I was taught the meaning of our flag and the respect it is to be shown. I was taught how our brave countrymen were willing to face the wrath of a strong king. And I was taught the history behind the many wars our country has been involved in.
But in my opinion, I believe everyone, whether you have military ties or not, should respect this country and respect the difficulty our forefathers faced in order to form this country. I believe the flag should be respected, the military praised, and that all men and women should show this country the love and respect it deserves. It is all too easy to forget and become ignorant of the hard work it took to form this great nation; and in my opinion, as well as it should be others, the greatest nation in the world. My generation, as well as others, should be disgusted knowing people have no idea what July 4th truly means. We all need to take time to appreciate our history as well as our present, knowing we only move forward by learning from the past and using it to succeed in future endeavors.
