JULY 4TH… INDEPENDENCE DAY

Well now, children, gather ‘round and let’s contemplate the 236 years since  our colonial fathers celebrated their act of telling good King George goodbye in their wonderful document known as The Declaration of Independence.  Written by Thomas Jefferson at the urging of John Adams, it has held forth undeniable truths about the concept of freedom and democracy steadfastly held all these many years, while drawing the contempt of tyrants, dictators, and the state-is-supreme-minded people ever since.  Think of it!  Had any nation ever in history done such a thing?

What a document!  It binds us as a nation as much as our constitution does.  It is, indeed, a remarkable paper, and one all Americans shall soon celebrate so many years later.

In 1968, during Lyndon Johnson’s administration, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an Act of Congress, was a piece of legislation largely inspired by the travel industry, designed to move almost all federal holidays to the nearest Monday on the calendar, thereby creating a series of three day weekends.  July 4th was not one of them.  Neither was Christmas, as both were deemed too important to treat in such a trivial fashion… and rightfully so.  The Declaration of Independence not only established us as a new nation, but gave birth to a concept remarkable in its day, one that led to revolutions around the world… the concept that monarchies and oligarchies have no place in a world where citizens rule.

  Though the Declaration did not enumerate any “guaranteed” rights, it led to our Constitution and its attached Bill of Rights.  Without it, there would have been no United States of America.

We are all accustomed to observing fireworks during our celebration of this day.  The first fireworks were in 1777 on the Boston Commons which seems most appropriate given the role that Boston’s citizens played during the Revolution.  By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were firmly established as part of American Independence Day celebrations and have remained so ever since.  In the ensuing two centuries, despite myriads of economic, cultural, and social changes, Americans still celebrate the day their forefathers created our nation.  John Adams, the foremost firebrand against the rule of King George, predicted that we would celebrate and, of course, he was correct.

Given this background, it seems right that Jacksonville, shining in its own historical light, participates in this most important of annual celebrations.  As previously announced, the city will hold a community picnic from noon until three o’clock on the grounds of our version of the Boston Commons… the Jacksonville courthouse.  Everyone, near and far, is invited to attend.  Bring your own picnic food and celebrate with your friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens.

While you do, remember those who came before and gave us the opportunity to celebrate our freedom.  And isn’t that what it’s all about?