Independence Day: A Time for Reflection
Screenshot (Public Domain) Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, is a significant day in American history that commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This document declared the 13 American colonies as independent states, free from British rule. Independence Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotism across the United States, with festivities including parades, fireworks, barbecues, concerts, and various other events. On Independence Day, Americans come together to celebrate their freedom and reflect on the sacrifices made by their forefathers to secure it. It is a day to honor the principles of liberty, democracy, and independence that are so deeply ingrained in the American identity. The Declaration of Independence, penned by Thomas Jefferson, proclaimed that all men are created equal and endowed with rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This declaration laid the foundation for the values that shape