July 4th ponderings

Fourth of July is here - hard to believe! The weather has caught on to its summer, now it seems the summer is half over with July 4th being here! This day carries significant meaning - I feel it gets lost among the general population. We have become a nation that simply sees this as a day off from work, a chance to have a BBQ, watch fireworks (or set them off), with many people not even thinking why this day is a day we get off. Read on for a short history lesson.

July 4th - the birth of the United States as an independent nation. It commemorates our adoption of the Declaration of Independence. This was done in 1776 by the Continental Congress, separating 13 American Colonies from Great Britain. We celebrate this with fireworks, parades, and BBQs. But does anyone truly stop to think about the reason we do these things?

The first celebrations in Philadelphia, PA, began in 1777 with fireworks, marking a significant moment in American history as the nation sought to commemorate its newfound independence from British rule. The event was not just a display of pyrotechnics but a collective expression of joy and patriotism among the citizens who had fought for their freedom. July 4 officially became a federal holiday in 1870, a pivotal step in recognizing the importance of Independence Day across the United States. This designation allowed the

to be celebrated uniformly, fostering a sense of national unity and pride. It was not until 1938 that the day was designated as a paid holiday, which marked a significant shift in how the government acknowledged the contributions of its workers. Before this change, for a span of 68 years, July 4 was considered an unpaid holiday for many employees, meaning that those who did not work on this day would not receive compensation. This situation often led to discussions about labor rights and the importance of honoring national holidays while balancing the economic realities faced by workers at the time. The holiday has become an opportunity for Americans to reflect on their history, celebrate their freedoms, and enjoy the company of friends and family.

This day became a holiday after major events like the American Revolutionary War in 1775. With recent news of the bombing of Iran's nuclear facility, I believe we should pause celebrations and focus on getting our nation back on track. I usually avoid political debates, but my stance is clear: violence is not the answer. There are better ways to resolve issues. While I understand the rationale behind bombing the nuclear plant, I don't think it was the right approach.

I find it extremely ironic that we use this day to celebrate the ability to choose our government and who runs our country, yet (as I write this in 2025) there is major discord among the political parties, people, and our government. How can we celebrate something as significant as this when we are in such turmoil over who our current president is (Trump), the bombings in Iran, and the overall upset everywhere? What are we truly celebrating this year? That we, Americans, have turned our beautiful country into a literal dumpster fire? Do you truly feel that this is something we should be out celebrating? Do you feel that we have lost sight of the meaning behind this holiday?

Which gets me thinking, why are we so excited to have an extra day off work - just to be off from work, attending BBQs and seeing or setting off fireworks? The last 8 years we have

been in turmoil over who's running our country, the economy, COVID, recession possibilities, hiring freezes, layoffs, wage freezes. I know most of us are sick of hearing about this stuff in the news; some feel they can't do anything about the state of the country. I don't think it's too much to ask that we take some time to reflect on what's happening around us, who we have decided to lead our country, and why.

I'm the first person to admit that I don't watch, read, or listen to the news daily. I know, it's not the best practice. I get super stressed and anxious about things that are going on that I can't change. Knowing that, I limit how much I let into my mind. But that doesn't mean I'm oblivious to what's going on; I just choose to keep it at bay instead of it being front and center in my world.

Till our tails cross again,

Mel

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