Independence Day

Appreciate What We Have Here On the Independence Day

Today is Independence Day, another great day that celebrates our the history and this great country.

Many of us have written about this but I thought it might be good to just review the reason we celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July. This is another one of those very significant holidays that brings great celebration. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that provided for the legal separation of our 13 colonies from Great Britain - this occurred during the American Revolution.

After the Congress voted for independence the next step was to write the Declaration of Independence. This document was an explanation of the reason for the Colonies separation from Great Britain. As I understand it this was prepared by a committee of 5 with Thomas Jefferson as the principal author. Then, of course, it was presented to Congress, where there were some alterations after some debate and it was approved on July 4, 1776.

Now John Adams is a relative of mine through my mother's side of our family and I am pretty proud of that. Last year I provided a copy of a note written by John Adams to his wife and I wanted to rewrite it for you this year as it truly helps you feel the significance and feeling surrounding Independence Day. Mr. Adams wrote the following note to his wife: "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward and forever more.''

I think this says it all. I think we, here in Jamestown and Chautauqua County fulfills all of these forecasts and for that we can be proud.

An interesting fact I did not know is that a salute of one gun for each state in the United States, called a "salute to the union," is fired on Independence Day at noon by any capable military base. Fireworks shows are very prominent on Independence Day. Many fireworks displays are accompanied by the patriotic songs revolving around our independence. "The Star Spangled Banner," "God Bless America," "American the Beautiful," "My Country, Tis of Thee," "This Land is Your Land," "Stars and Stripes Forever," and regionally "Yankee Doodle" in the northeastern states and "Dixie" in the southern states. The importance of these songs is that the lyrics bring to mind and recall images of the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 and the significance of each of these wars.

As we are all having our picnics, parties, fireworks let's take a moment to close our eyes and relive what this day is all about. Take a moment to appreciate what we really have here in the US of America! We, here at DJDC, wish you all the very best on this Independence Day 2011.