The Freedom of Independence

Hi, I'm Tisha with Enchanted 3 Boutique. On this 4th of July I want to take a moment to reflect on what Independence Day is, and why we celebrate it. I know that its the day the we gained independence from the tyrannical rule of the British monarchy, but what does that mean and why is it so important?

On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. The document was a list of grievances against the ruling British monarchy for the treatment of the 13 colonies and its people and stated what they believed were their rights as creations of God.

    "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              affect their Safety and Happiness."

No truer words were ever spoken. When the Declaration was written, America was well into the revolutionary war, which officially started on April 19th of 1775 with "the shot heard 'round the world." Before that fateful day, the parliament of  Great Britain had issued a series of unfair taxes on the American colonies which led to the Boston Tea Party on May 10th, 1773. The Royal Governor of Massachusetts ordered a seizure of weapons and gun powder from the people in the hopes of quelling a rebellion. He underestimated the lengths Patriots will go to protect their rights. American spies intercepted this plan and sent riders far and wide to raise the alarm that "the British were coming." The American Militias and Minute Men, determined to meet the British force, made their way to Concord. No one knows which side first fired the shot that day, but it still reverberates through history. 

It was 7 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence when the American colonies finally won the war and was free of the British with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3rd, 1783. 

So why don't we celebrate September 3rd or April 19th instead of July 4th? April 19th was the day that the colonies went to war for their independence and September 3rd was essentially the date they won that war, so why is July 4th so important? 

I think it comes down to intent...July 4th is when our forefathers stood up and declared that we have the right to freedom and we will continue to fight for that freedom until we win or we die. The signing of the treaty is like getting a "job well done" after the dust settled, but the declaration told Britain we are a country of people that will not sit back and let other's dictate our lives to us. Its the declaration, that we are our own people and we will govern ourselves, that's important. A war isn't a war until someone says it is...

So this Independence Day I am going to celebrate those brave and courageous men that stood up so long ago and declared freedom for us all and the men and women that fight and defend that freedom everyday since. We are a country that came from the blood, sweat, and tears of those that came before us. They stood up and fought for freedom and independence. We are still fighting to save our freedoms. So stand up, fight for the freedom you were given, and earn your spot in history. Tyrannical rule in any form is still tyranny. The rights our forefathers bled for, are the rights we need to preserve. 

What are you celebrating this Independence Day? We'd love to hear your stories, your passions, and your patriotism. Comment below and I'll see you next time.