In Our View: Celebrate, Re-engage

The words remain relevant, as important today as ever before.

On July 3, 1776, Founding Father and future president John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail: “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

OK, so Adams might have missed by a couple of days, as July 4 has come to be regarded as the most memorable Epocha, even if we aren’t quite sure what that means. On July 2, Congress had voted to declare independence from Great Britain; on July 4, the final version of the Declaration of Independence was adopted. And Adams might have employed some spellings that now seem a bit dated, as we prefer shows to “shews.”

But the excitement over the fledgling nation declaring its independence remains worthy of celebration by succeeding generations.

So it is that we gather today to acknowledge the importance of the United States of America and the impact it has had upon the civilized world. For more than two centuries, the United States has served as a beacon welcoming the poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

Undoubtedly, this nation does not always live up to that creed. And while it is tempting during these contentious political times to focus upon our shortcomings, it would be shortsighted to ignore the benefits that come with being an American. While we can disagree upon the direction of our nation and the future that lies ahead, today provides a reminder that all citizens have a shared stake in that future and that we all are fortunate to be a part of the United States.

That good fortune requires more than simple revelry and celebration. It also requires the duties of citizenship, of understanding how this nation arrived at this place in time, and of pondering how to carry us forward in our mission to remain a welcoming beacon. As Thomas Jefferson wrote: “Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind … we might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.”

It can be difficult, finding the balance to place progress of the human mind upon a foundation laid 242 years ago. Such a task requires a full understanding and abiding respect for those who have come before us in creating the most economically and diplomatically powerful nation on earth.

Because of that, we recommend a little homework to commemorate this Fourth of July. We recommend that all citizens read the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. We also recommend that our nation recommit itself to understanding these founding documents that provide the structure for this grand experiment in representative democracy.

At a time when political divisions are fracturing our nation and when enmity appears to be at an all-time high, it is essential for all citizens to re-engage with what it means to be an American. We can think of no better way to honor the United States as we celebrate our independence.