Why do we celebrate the 4th of July in America?

    July 4th is the day celebrated by Americans as its Independence Day or almost as its "birth day", but it isn't about the fireworks, BBQs, or showing off the red, white, and blue colors that we have been accustom to throughout the years.  This historic day was about being independent form Great Britain as the colonies of America formed a committee creating the Declaration of Independence to cut ties from the Britains.  It is often portrayed and talked about that it only depicted white men in wigs but this also consisted of Native Americans, African Americans and women that played a key role especially during the American Revolution.  The Boston Tea Party was a significant protest that involved dumping the English Tea into the waters because of taxes from the British government.  The famous Paul Revere warned people that the British were coming on a horse.  Women played an important role as nurses and some even military missions.  For example, Elizabeth Cady Stanton who was a prominent figure for women in the military who paraphrased a statement in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal."(pg. 724)  Even Native Americans as well as African Americans fought along side the Americans battling against the British.  The Declaration of Independence became a significant landmark in the history of democracy and was a big influence outside the United States especially with France during the French Revolution. This began as one of thee essential founding documents of the United States with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

    During this time, it is more important to note that everyone should be included.  We are all still fighting for those words we often say when speaking of the flag which is: "liberty and justice for all".  What happened to those words associated with the America such as freedom and the land of opportunity.  America is consisted of people from all over the world and that's what makes our country so unique and valued.  We are a nation of people of different color, cultures, traditions, religions, ethnicities, various backgrounds, and more.  What makes the United States of America special is the "UNITED" or what it should be but it isn't.  Throughout time were still fighting equality and figuring out how to be more together than separate or apart from each other.  We need to be able to find that common ground using ethics and morals of humanity.  We are one human race living on this planet.  I love this country because of the people that live in it and the diversity in the bay area.  I know there is more to do and say, but we need to look at this state of "Independence" as a way of being able to cohabitate, listen, understand, learn, and grow with one another.  More love, less hate.  Our indifferences shouldn't push us away from each other but bring us closer to knowing more about who, what, why, an how we are and can become better.  Be safe yall and take care! :)

References/Sources:

Strayer, Robert. Nelson, Eric. "Ways of the World". Bedford, 2015. pg. 701-703


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