Archive for July 2009
Independence Day
Today, in America, it’s Independence Day.
As I wrote that line, I’m listening to someone setting off fireworks in the alley behind our house. I can also hear fireworks going off from other parts of the neighborhood, too. I turn on the television set – someone dressed up like Uncle Sam is trying to sell me Auto Insurance … like, if I drove, I’d trust someone wearing a red white and blue sequined suit while “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” plays in the background. Or, maybe it was the matching sequined stovepipe hat. Whatever … That might work if I was looking to buy ice cream or something – but not anything important like insurance.
Through Blogs, Facebook, and e-mail – I’m hearing stories about awesome parties, spectacular fireworks displays, picnics and all sorts of fun stuff.
If you live in America, it’s hard to forget that this is Independence Day.
But, what exactly are we celebrating?
Sometimes it seems we’re celebrating the fact that it’s summertime. That’s why we pull out our barbeques – so we can invite our friends and relatives over for grilled hamburgers and hot dogs (and classics like potato salad).
Other times, it seems like it’s just another holiday … we don’t have to work tomorrow, so let’s go out to the bars and drink ‘till we puke. Woohoo!
Do we even remember why we’re celebrating Independence Day on the 4th of July?
Oh, yeah … that’s right. On July 4th, 1776, the United States Congress signed The Declaration of Independence. I remember that now … so … the 4th of July is also The United States of America’s birthday. How could I forget that? … Happy Birthday, America.
Hold on a second … what was the Declaration of Independence, again? Isn’t it that document where the original 13 colonies pretty much told King George III that he could go F*#& himself for all we care?
Or, something like that? Kind of sort of?
What does the Declaration of Independence say again?
It starts off by saying that people should be able to declare political independence as long as it is reasonable, explicable, and the reasons why should be explained.
Not bad as far as first sentences go … but, it isn’t until the second sentence that things really get good. In fact, it’s so good … it’s probably the only part of the entire document that people remember. Does this sound familiar?
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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
This section was known as The Preamble (or, Introduction). It details the background about what people in America were thinking at that time. It was their way of saying that everybody has a right to be treated fairly by the government and how everybody should have a right to their live their lives freely and do whatever it is that makes them happy. And, whenever government gets in the way of that – the people have a right to do something about it.
It is interesting to note that many phrases used in the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence have been used throughout American history and are still being uttered today. Abraham Lincoln based much of his political ideals upon these statements, especially how “all men were created equal” including all those slaves he sought to free. Even today, you may also hear a law being challenged in court because it deprives someone from “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness". You have to admit – those are some amazing words.
After this point, the Declaration of Independence goes on to demonstrate the specific things King George had done (or, in some cases not done) that they felt violated their rights and why they no longer thought he was fit to rule over them.
After this, they go on to explain how they tried to work things out, resolve the problem, but King George pretty much was leaving them no choice … it’s nothing personal, we’re just not that in to you.
Then, in the final section, those early Americans told the British Crown to go take a long walk off a short pier. We’re going to do our own thing from now on … so don’t bother even trying to tell us what to do anymore ‘cause we’re not listening.
If you want to know more about The Declaration of Independence, I suggest you read the copy at the National Archives.
As I said earlier … the signing of The Declaration of Independence is celebrated as The Nation’s birthday because it was the time when the American colonists finally got together, stuck their heads out their windows and started screaming “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
Today, it’s been 233 years since the American Colonists told King George not to let the door hit him on the ass on his way out. In many ways, America has come a long way since then.
Yet, in other ways, America is still the same as it was back in 1776.
Maybe … this Independence Day … we should remember what that means.
