July 4, also known as Independence Day in the United States, is an Observance Day rather than a Remembrance Day.
This day commemorates the
adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, marking the
country's independence from Great Britain.
It is a federal holiday
celebrated with various festivities, including fireworks, parades, concerts,
and barbecues, symbolizing the nation's freedom and patriotic spirit.
America will be decked out in
red, white, and blue on Thursday as millions across the nation celebrate the
Fourth of July.
This yearly celebration of
freedom observed on July 4 often involves cookouts, star-spangled parades,
bright firework displays, and other patriotic festivities.
Independence Day
commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, but it took a
long time to evolve to the widespread celebration it is now.
**Why does USA celebrate the
Fourth of July?**
On July 4, 1776, the Second
Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence to
announce the colonies’ separation from the Kingdom of Great Britain, the
Library of Congress says.
The actual vote for independence
happened two days earlier, but July 4 is seen as the "birthday" of
American independence.
The Fourth of July also isn't when the
Declaration of Independence was signed. According to the National Archives,
delegates began signing the engrossed Declaration of Independence on Aug. 2.
**Independence
Day celebrations grow**
On the first anniversary of the
Declaration's adoption, John Adams wrote to his daughter describing last-minute
festivities in Philadelphia.
Despite its last-minute nature,
Adams remarked on the "brilliancy and splendour" of Philadelphia's
first Fourth of July celebration. It's hard to imagine a time before Americans
celebrated on the Fourth of July.
However, according to the Library
of Congress, the celebrations didn't become widespread until after the War of
1812. Celebrations kept growing, becoming what the Library called "the
most important secular holiday on the calendar" by the 1870s — a time when
even "far-flung communities on the western frontier managed to
congregate."
**The Declaration of
Independence**
Conflict between the colonies and
England was already a year old when the colonies convened a Continental
Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776. In a June 7 session in the
Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia
presented a resolution with the famous words: "Resolved: That these United
Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they
are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political
connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be,
totally dissolved."
Lee's words were the impetus for
the drafting of a formal Declaration of Independence, although the resolution
was not followed up on immediately. A committee of five was appointed to draft
the declaration, and the task itself fell on Thomas Jefferson of Virginia.
Discussions of Jefferson's Declaration of Independence resulted in some minor
changes, but the spirit of the document went unchanged.
The process of revision by the
Continental Congress began July 1, then continued through all of July 3 and
into the late afternoon of July 4, when the Declaration was officially adopted.
Of the 13 colonies, nine voted in favor of the Declaration, two -- Pennsylvania
and South Carolina -- voted No, Delaware was undecided and New York abstained.
John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of
Independence. It is said that John Hancock's signed his name "with a great
flourish" so England's "King George can read that without
spectacles!"
Today, the original copy of the
Declaration is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and the
fourth of July has been designated a national holiday to commemorate the day
the United States laid down its claim to be a free and independent nation.
**Celebrate July 4th**
How long has the celebration been
happening? The celebrations in Bristol started in 1785 when Revolutionary War
veteran Rev. Henry Wight of the First Congregational Church conducted the first
of what's known as the patriotic exercises, an event honoring military
veterans, according to the town's website. Bristol's parade is believed to have
begun in the early 1800s. Some Americans began celebrating July 4 in 1777, the
year after the Declaration of Independence was signed, but the holiday didn't
become more widely observed until after the War of 1812. By the 1870s, Independence Day had become the most
important nonreligious holiday for many Americans, and on June 28, 1870,
Congress passed a law-making Independence Day
a federal holiday.
Intertwining World Safe ePay Day and World Blouse Day
As we celebrate the rich history
of Independence Day on July 4, it's a reminder of the innovative spirit and
commitment to progress that has defined the United States. This same spirit
drives new conceptual initiatives like World
Safe ePay Day and World
Blouse Day.
World Safe ePay Day, in its
conceptual stage, aims to promote secure and efficient digital payment methods
globally. Just as the Declaration of Independence set a new standard for
freedom and governance, World Safe ePay Day seeks to set a new standard for digital financial
security and inclusivity. Celebrating this day alongside Independence Day
highlights the continuous evolution of our society towards greater security and
technological advancement.
Imagine a future where July 4th
celebrations not only honor historical freedom but also embrace the modern
freedom of secure and inclusive financial transactions. Communities could
participate in workshops and educational events that teach the importance of
secure e-payments, fostering a safer online environment for all. Just as the
founders envisioned a nation free from tyranny, we can envision a digital world
free from financial insecurity and fraud.
Similarly, World Blouse Day,
also in the conceptual stage, focuses on celebrating cultural heritage and
diversity through the iconic blouse. This day encourages the appreciation of
traditional and modern blouse designs from around the world, symbolizing unity
in diversity. Incorporating this day into the July 4 celebrations underscores
the importance of cultural appreciation and the rich tapestry of identities
that contribute to a nation's strength.
Imagine parades featuring not
just the American flag but also beautiful displays of blouses from various
cultures, representing the diverse fabric of American society. Fashion shows,
cultural exhibits, and community gatherings could highlight the significance of
blouses in different cultures, promoting understanding and unity. This addition
to Independence Day would remind us that our strength lies in our diversity and
our ability to come together as one.
As folks in USA, enjoy fireworks, parades, and barbecues,
let's also envision a future where secure digital payments are the norm, and
cultural expressions through fashion are celebrated.
These conceptual days remind us
that the pursuit of freedom and progress is ongoing, and every step forward, no
matter how conceptual today, can become a reality with collective effort and
dedication.
Celebrating Independence
Day alongside these new initiatives encourages us to reflect on
both our past and our future, fostering a sense of unity, security, and
cultural appreciation.
Disclaimer: These are my thoughts only. The only Bliss is
spreading the Joy of Safe ePayments. Nothing More – Nothing Less. World Safe ePay
Day is one such way to spread the Joy of Safe ePayments.
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