Jack of Harts

Over two hundred fifty years ago, John Adams said that Independence Day should be celebrated with parades, games, sports, gunfire, bells, bonfires, and fireworks. He called it a Day of Deliverance that we should thank the Almighty God for. It is the day we celebrate the signing of a declaration that changed the world. It was an age of kings, and we declared that the people had rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that they must respect. And when they did not, it was the people’s responsibility to make them. We placed in words moral requirements that governments must meet, and a justification for rebellion when they did not. It was one of many shots heard round the world that America delivered, and the successful follow through on that demand provided inspiration for all peoples that changed the world for the better. We live in a better place now than we would have had we never done this, and for that alone I celebrate Independence Day with a cheerful heart. I have other reasons of course, but that one is a good one.