Have you ever thought about why we celebrate the 4th of July the way we do?

So many “traditions” we have come accustomed too and don’t think twice about.

Fireworks, BBQ and Beer of course! Some places have a lake, family reunions and so much more.

But how did we go from fighting for our independence from Britain... to being so casual and dismissive with this holiday that our country is founded on.

July 4th is the Federal Holiday we utilize to commemorate our Declaration of Independence. The Declaration we still use to protect us now, followed an even more unique document called the, “Articles of Confederation” which are what was adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777 but ratified March 1, 1781.

The first Constitution of the US, are the Articles of Confederation.

We had wanted our independence for some time. It seemed to have taken some years, blood, lives followed by a lot of intellectual conversation, to make our country what it was at the time.

And we did it with representatives from each of the 13 colonies, together to create one nation separate of the country and king who was oppressing the people at the time with its tyranny and taxes.

The 13 colonies.. Banded together.. To create, or potentially create, one of the strongest countries in the world.

“During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain in 1776 actually occurred on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain's rule.”

One man, Came to the plate with an idea and a plan, that would forever change the history of America.

An idea that many were thinking, others were acting upon and a few were just waiting for the moment when they would need to enforce the Constitution for their new found freedoms.

The preamble to our constitution states:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
That phrase, sets the tone for the entire constitution.

Why did our founding fathers feel these words they carefully chose to put into such an important piece of current political controversy at the time, were important enough to make it to the final draft?

“Those who made significant intellectual contributions to the Constitution are called the Founding Fathers of our country” and unfortunately for the people who have to pay them, “The road to revolution was paved with taxes.” Taxes we were already being forced to pay to Britain, were now to be rerouted to a different type of government. A government that would eventually become the one we have today.

That statement in and of itself could be gone down the rabbit hole of information but my point with repeating that, is that when force is used, coercion tactics surely haven’t helped the formation of who and what we are today.

Has the way our country's foundation was created, setting the tone for it to unravel later? Is later now? Are we paying attention to what is going on in our country? OR are we so caught up with our day to day lives that have been mass marketed till we are bleeding the grease from the cheapest burger joint on each corner, buying the best bogo package of fireworks and meeting with families at our family reunions that we don’t even like?

Our Constitution was wrote with the intention of giving the colonies a bond with each other to strengthen the security and protect the individuals within. Especially considering the battle that turned bloody very quickly that they were facing at the time.

We have rights. Natural rights and proclaimed rights in our constitution.

Are we being afforded these rights? Or are we being systematically brainwashed by good food, pretty lights and a watering hole, that we forget how many lives were given and taken to have what we have today. That ARE changing before our eyes.

Are we acknowledging these rights we have or are we so complacent with the things our current America is “allowing” us to have, based on what is being taken from others?

Is our Fourth of July really just a mass catastrophe waiting to happen because of what it represents to the rest of the world?

WIll the warnings that got sent out about terrorist attacking us on this day be looked at carefully?

Are we paying attention?

Do we care?

“The Constitution of the United States is over 200 years old. Below are some of the important dates that led to the creation of the Constitution:

1775 — The Revolutionary War between the Colonies and Britain begins.

1776 —Declaration of Independence written; the 13 colonies become the 13 states, but are not yet united under one central government.

1781 — The last battle of the Revolutionary War takes place; the 13 states set up a federal government under laws called the Articles of Confederation.

1786 — Representatives from five states meet at Annapolis, Maryland, to discuss interstate trade. Because so few representatives attend, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison call for another convention to be held in Philadelphia.

1787 — The Constitutional Convention begins on May 25, in Philadelphia. Fifty-five representatives attend and begin drafting the Constitution. On September 17,

1787, the convention comes to a close as the representatives sign the Constitution.

1788 — The Constitution becomes the law of the land after New Hampshire becomes the ninth and last state required to approve it.” -List found at Scholastic.com

We have been “fighting” for our rights to freedom for hundreds of years, thousands upon thousands if we look at this as a human on Earth issue rather than an American fighting for an American issue.

When will we recognize that our efforts do not have to be in vain and the traditions we have could be better than ever. If we would only get to the roots of what our society is really founded upon in order to assume responsibility, and then to correct what needs to be corrected that is happening all around us everyday.  

And to continue that with making sure our world is a better place because of how we choose to live and act upon each presented issue that affects each of our everyday lives.

http://constitutionus.com/
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)
https://www.amrevmuseum.org/collection
https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/did-founding-fathers-lead-american-revolution-pursuit-liberty-or-personal-greed