What is the 4th of July mean to you?

Question

Of course it's all about celebrating our Independence. Do you honor those who have fought for us as well? Or is it just about the fireworks, parade, and picnic?
I'm not trying to attack anyone or any part of the 4th. Just want some ideas. I'm involved in a major project with my city for the 4th. I've been researching the 4th. I want real opinions. Be very detailed! Thank you!

What Independence? Are you kidding me? Look at all the other countries who don't have the freedom we do. Would you rather live like that?
I don't want the negative comments here. Leave them to yourself.

Thank you to all that are true Americans.

Answer 1

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays! I always take a few moments to remember what our Independence Day is really about. A group of men who were willing to risk it all, their futures, their fortunes and their lives because they believed in the idea that liberty and freedom were more important than any of that. To me, it's nothing short of amazing that what started as a rough assembly of untrained men using whatever weapons they could get their hands on managed to become the somewhat more polished Continental Army and went on to defeat the army of what was, at the time, the most powerful nation in the world.

On that day, I also honor those who have fought for us since that time. Those that have come since are no less heroic in their sacrifices for liberty and freedom. They have continued the work started so long ago by those who fought the first fight for our freedom and, in my opinion, deserve to be honored on Independence Day just as much as those who founded our country.

I also use that day as a living history lesson for the kids. On our way to the festivities, I quiz them on American History, particularly that relating to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. I do it in a fun way, the kids all try to be the one who can give the most correct answers or the most detailed answers. I want them to be aware that the day is about more than parades and picnics.

Of course, I love the fireworks, parade and picnic, but I think it's important to remember WHY we're enjoying those things.

Answer 2

On the 4th of July, my whole family gets together for a big picnic. We start off the day playing games with the children, followed by a big feast. Before the feast, we all say a prayer asking God to keep those who are away from their families safe from harm, then each person from oldest to the baby (3years old) says something good that has happened the past year. In this way, we are thanking God and our Country for giving us the Freedom to experience new and exciting things in safety and without fear.

Answer 3

I try to read or review something of American history every year around the Fourth of July. My father used to work for the Freemen Institute started by pre-eminent LDS scholar Cleon Skousen, who died in January of this year. My father helped with the research to write one or more of Skousen's books which help explain the motives and philosophies of the founders of the United States. I am so impressed that this country had leaders who wanted to safeguard the liberties of so many, and even when abuses occur, there is almost always a way to remedy the situation. I realize some people will bring up slavery in other discussions, and that was an unfortunate and unfair practice, but there is more to it than meets the eye, and prolonged grudges interfere with making friends and individual progress. I thought the musical 1776! was pretty interesting when I watched it a few years ago. In Provo this year I believe American Idol Taylor Hicks will have his first major appearance in Utah at the Stadium of Fire near Brigham Young University, which I think is cool. This country is set up with so many freedoms that people who complain and criticize it don't even realize what kind of freedom they have to even be able to say the things they do without major repercussions. I have a great-uncle who died in a prisoner-of-war camp, and we pray that those defending us will be able to preserve their integrity and not give in to human temptation. No one is perfect, but the 4th of July is an awesome time to feel a spirit of unity and community involvement. Good luck with your project.

Answer 4

Oh, yeah. I am big on the American Revolution. I am endlessly fascinated with it. That these men broke away from the most powerful nation on Earth to start their own country is just incredible. I live in New England and am very lucky to be able to go to Boston and other places to see the acutal sites.
I watch '1776' every 4th of July night.

Re: Salvery. OK. Jefferson did include it in the Declaration as one of the grievances against the king, but the other framers knew that was b.s. and struck it. Besides they had to keep the South happy, and get a country started. I guess they thought the next generation would nip it in the bud. These men were not perfect, but, damn! the achieved greatenss!

Depsite all our faults this is STILL the best country in which to live. Period.

Answer 5

I'm an Aussie so Independence Day for America doesn't mean a thing.
You seem to celebrate the day with much fanfare and hoopla but for what? Are you truly independent? I don't think so.
You as a country still rely on imports and the like. So how is that translated to being 'independent'?
Independence means being self-reliant and you people are certainly NOT that.
Sorry for the negativity but I get so sick and tired of hearing how good you think you are by world standards, as if you are the template for the rest of the world to copy. I've got news for you guys and it's all bad.

Answer 6

First of all, thank you Jess!
Second of all, everytime I see the fireworks on the 4th of July, I break out into tears. I take into consideration all of those who died for us. Also, I thank God that we do still have some of the freedoms we do today. And, all of you who are negative about this situation, go live in a place where there is no freedom and come back and say all that crap you said earlier. Thank you!

Answer 7

Celebrating our FREEDOM! And honoring those who serve and have served in our military!

The first thing I do in the morning on the 4th of July is find my husband and thank him. (He has been in the military 21+ years and is retiring this year)

I say an extra prayer to our military men and women who can't be with there families that day but instead or protecting our freedoms. Freedom to Celebrate them!

The freedom to be able to BBQ and have a pool party and shoot off fireworks is WONDERFUL. And Our family will be doing that. We will also fly our american flag that day. And we be with each other playing games and EJOYING our freedom that we have.

Answer 8

All about Parades, Picnics, all the fun things a semi-free society has to offer- bring the family & sick out, it is now safe !
It feels good to have some choices-
I have to agree with playing down & not allowing the free use of fireworks-alot safer on the whole-
Seems like Memorial Day & Vetrans Day are about the men/women who gave/give so much-
This being a...the war is over/we won...bring on the paarrrtttyyy!

Answer 9

Freedom

Answer 10

we celebrate our freedom and all the men and women who have fought for it there are parades in almost every big and small citys family cookouts neighbor hood partys just a big celebration for our freedom i know out town will honor all the men and women that have just came back from iraq we hold a great honor here for all the pows and vfws from the areas surrounding here without them we wouldnt have our freedom so to all of the vets a big hearted thank you