4th of July History

It's funny as Americans that we get lazy about things, like holidays.  What do I mean by that?  I don't think that there are to many Americans who know why we celebrate the 4th of July, I mean really understand why, nor do we know how it all came to pass. I think that most Americans would tell you that we celebrate our independence from England, but don't know much beyond that.  I, too, had to get on the internet to refresh my memory about the particulars of the holiday.  What I found was that during the time of the revolution a (5) man committee was tasked with the awesome responsibility of formulating the foundation of laws for this new world.  What a huge responsibility, and liability they were undertaking.  If the British ever found out, or discovered the document that established the laws of this great country those men willing to sign their names would have been arrested and treated as traitors.  I can't even imagine putting myself out there like that, but not only me but my family as well.  I am very grateful that there were and are those who put their lives on the line everyday to ensure that we enjoy the liberties our founding fathers and soldiers established.  I was in the military, but feel my role was greatly drawfed in comparison to what they accomplished. 

In further pursuit of the holiday information, I discovered that the first "4th" of July celebration actually took place on the 8th of July.  What I found extermely erie and incredible was that on the 50th anniversary two of the original writers of the constitution, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died.  How weird.

Finally, I learned that it became a recognized legal holiday in 1938.

When we celebrate our holidays, especially one such as this, have fun but I hope everyone of us takes a moment to think about and thank those who made it possible, and appreciate those who even now put their lives on the line for this country.    
Freedom: A History of Us