Fourth of July a day of celebration for all Americans

Dear Editor:

 The 4th of July, or Independence Day, is a day of celebration for Americans all across our nation, filled with parades, barbecues, family gatherings, and fireworks. But what is Independence Day really all about? 

 On July 4, 1776, the founding fathers of our great nation approved the Declaration of Independence, which officially declared America’s independence from Great Britain, the most powerful nation and military in the world at the time. 

 Many Americans are familiar with the phrase, “No taxation without representation,” which is often believed to be the main reason that the American colonies chose to separate from Great Britain. 

 In actuality, it was only one of 27 grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence, each detailing how the individual liberties of the colonists were violated and trampled upon, from the disruption and dismantling of lawful local colonial government to cutting off the colonies from trade, conscripting the colonists into military service and forcing them to fight against their own countrymen, and the devastation of the lives of the colonists through violence, plunder, and destruction.

 The colonists repeatedly petitioned Great Britain to right the wrongs committed against them, but they were only answered by still more tyranny and injustice. 

 The Declaration of Independence was drafted, deliberated upon, ratified and signed by 56 representatives from the 13 colonies, who fully realized that even merely signing the Declaration of Independence could cost them their lives. Thousands of men, old and young, went on to give their lives during the American Revolution. Of the 56 signers, 17 lost their fortunes, 12 had their homes utterly destroyed, 9 died in battle, 5 were put under arrest as traitors, and 2 had sons that were killed in the war [1].  

 Our forefathers were willing to risk everything to give us the blessed nation and freedoms that we have today. If it were not for their sacrifice, there would be no United States of America, no Declaration of Independence…no 4th of July. This 4th of July, I would encourage everyone who reads this to read the Declaration of Independence, and take some time to reflect on the great sacrifice that was paid for your freedom. Most importantly, may each one of us do all within our power to ensure that this priceless gift that has been entrusted to us is passed down to the generations to come. 

Sydney Alix

Washington County