What is there to say about Independence Day that hasn’t already been said? Sure, we all know the basics: that July 4^th marks the day our nation declared it’s independence from Great Britain.

Yet, most Americans don't know that this was done on the 2^nd of July when our founding fathers actually voted on the Declaration of Independence. In fact, John Adams (who, ironically enough, died on July 4, 1826) predicted, “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America…It will be celebrated by succeeding generations…with pomp and parade.” His prediction was off by two days; America chose to celebrate July 4th as the nation's birthday, being that was the day they finally finished writing the Declaration of Independence. Yes, our forefathers were procrastinators—they didn’t even ring the Liberty Bell until July 8^th!

And so it seems that all the simple knowledge we’ve been taught to believe about our country’s beginnings is widely inaccurate. However, most people don’t really seem too concerned, or even aware of, this fact because we are too focused on the material aspect of the holiday and finding new ways to celebrate it.

Up until the late 19^th century, it was tradition to shoot off cannons in artillery salutes on July 4^th like what had been done on that day in 1776. But as cannons grew less popular and more archaic, that tradition changed to fireworks. In 1976, Macy’s held its first annual live televised firework show from New York City. To this day, it remains the largest firework presentation in the country.

Nowadays, our typical celebration consists of shopping for 4th of July sales, flocking to the beach, and waving around plastic American flag paraphernalia most likely made in China. Ironic, isn’t it, that the day where we celebrate our independence—our freedom—we appear so dependent on silly material objects to uphold our traditions?

Somewhere along the line, America lost sight of the true meaning of Independence Day. We’re taught to recite the phrase, “The 4th of July is the day America became free from Britain,” but we don’t really understand what we’re saying. And while it's true that, that was the initial intention to celebrate the holiday, maybe the meaning has since changed. I suppose as we’ve drifted from the original meaning of the 4^th of July, a new one was created in the process. And I’d like to hope that the new meaning of the 4th of July has nothing to do with shopping sales or firework shows.

I think that the best way to define the new purpose of the 4^th of July is through a quote from Bob Taft I came across a few years ago in regards to 9/11. He said, “What happened on September 11^th compels us to focus on who we are as Americans, what we stand for, what really matters in our lives—family, friends, faith and freedom.”

That’s what our country's birthday is about, the four F’s: being with family and friends, while celebrating faith and freedom. On July 4th, that’s what we should be thinking about; it is the new and improved definition of the holiday.

So, while you celebrate the 4th of July how you usually do, whether it be at a beach or barbecue, take pride in the new meaning of the holiday. And don't be afraid to sing it out loud: “I’m proud to be an American!"