HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!
If you care to join us acknowledging our blessings go here:
Blue PantherIn less than a week, it will be the 4th of July! As I travel about the city, I see firework booths set up , convenient to buy the traditional fireworks to celebrate our nation's birthday with but I wonder just how many of those families buying fireworks actually think of the reason we celebrate? What have they taught their children? What have they learned in school? Do they realize what a precious day this is? Unfortunately, there are many who just think of it as a fun day for setting off fireworks, having picnics, time off from work and such without thinking about the real significance of "Independence day -- the birthday of our country!." 
This is an old photo of my son being Paul Revere for the Independence Day parade when we lived in Hawaii.This information, I got off the www:
Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.
In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts Paul Revere would sound the alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night streets.
The battle of Concord and its "shot heard round the world" would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence.
The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, again without formally declaring war.
By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained.
To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!."
The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after its inscription -
Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof
And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were established as the way to celebrate America's birthday. And although fireworks have been banned in most places because of their danger, most towns and cities usually have big firework displays for all to see and enjoy.
In Vancouver, we have an all day celebration at the National Reserve near Fort Vancouver. They have a big bandstand and it is broadcast on television and even the concluding fireworks are shown on TV for those who don't want to fight the crowds.
They usually start off with a singing contest of individuals from different high schools and prizes are awarded.
Then, the celebration officially begins with a flag ceremony featuring men and women from the Army stationed here in Vancouver.
Following that, families who have members in the different armed forces are recognized by standing as your branch of the service is called. I get to stand for the Air Force in honor of my brother and a brother in law and the Navy for a brother and my two sons. It's a proud moment! Then, there is music from different groups all day long on the bandstand. There are booths set up to buy things, including much food and souvenirs. When it gets dark, close to 10:00 PM, the biggest fireworks display west of the Mississippi begins.
This year, I will go and stay all day through the fireworks. I will once more stand in proud recognition of my family who have served their country and my two sons who still serve. I will count my blessings because I live in America and am proud to be an American. Long may our flag wave!
