Monday, July 4, Is Independence Day

 

The cause of freedom has been an integral part of United States history since the first colonists made their way from Europe to this continent. Many came to escape religious persecution so that they could practice their faith and worship as they pleased. Others came to escape political oppression by tyrannical governments. Many came for economic reasons, leaving financial hardship and starvation behind to make a new beginning for themselves and their families.

Throughout Colonial times, the inhabitants of the thirteen original colonies cherished their freedoms. They resented the royal English government, its excessive taxation and other oppressive actions. Resentment grew and provincial groups took matters under discussion. In May, 1775, in Mecklenburg County (in the area that is now Charlotte, NC), a brave group of patriotic citizens drafted a set of resolves known as the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. A copy of these articles purportedly was carried via a messenger on horseback to the Continental Congress. Our national Declaration of Independence, issued July 4th, 1776, contains many of the same points. More information on the background of our Independence Day can be found in the various articles here.

The many wars fought by the United States for the cause of freedom, both in the United States and on foreign shores, are testament to the value we place on freedom and the commitment we, as a nation, have to independence and democracy. Consider the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the many places around the world where our soldiers have served to support the cause of freedom, to preserve peace, and to promote the cause of democracy.

We, the citizens of the United States of America, enjoy the greatest freedoms of any country on earth. The foresight of our forefathers, as they wrote that famous Declaration of Independence, is astonishing. In the two hundred and twenty-two years since that document was first read in public, their essential concepts still provide the framework for the strongest, most enduring, and fairest democracy in history.

As you celebrate this Independence Day , please take a few minutes to consider the freedoms that you enjoy today. Think, too, about your own ancestors and the role they may have played in fighting for and preserving our country's freedom, and the freedom of other nations. We are indeed fortunate to live in the embrace of freedom and democracy.

Happy Independence Day
to you and yours
from the staff and volunteers of
GenealogyForum.com


 

The Declaration of Independence The First Continental Congress Patrick Henry's Call to Arms Declaration and Resolves of the    First Continental Congress Declaration Of Rights The American Revolution: A     Hypertext on American History They Paid the Price, by Paul Harvey

More Information

American Revolutionary War links from KidInfo Do you know the meaning behind Flag Folding? How is your independence trivia? Some miscellaneous facts just for you American Revolution Homepage

Other Symbols of the United States:

The Flag of the United States:
http://www.midcoast.com/~martucci/flags/us-hist1.html

Other National Symbols - The White House:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/life/

Send Independence Day Greetings to your friends and family:
http://www.123greetings.com/events/fourth_of_july/

Continue the Celebration - Visit Independence Day on the Net:
http://www.holidays.net/independence/

For the children - Kid's Domain July 4th Page:
http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/july4/

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