The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America was adopted on July 4, 1776. A year later at the first organized celebration of Independence Day in Philadelphia, a ship’s cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. That night, there was a fireworks display that began and ended with 13 rockets. Many communities celebrated Independence Day, especially after the War of 1812, but it was not declared a holiday until 1870.
Today, communities celebrate with parades, picnics, patriotic speeches, games, concerts, and fireworks. The United States flag is waved from flagpoles and hands. The fifty white stars on the blue field represent the current 50 states. The thirteen alternating red and white stripes represent the original 13 colonies. Red stands for valor and bravery, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
As we celebrate this year, let’s thank God for the freedoms we have—freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to gather peacefully, etc. Let’s ask Him to help us be brave for Him, live purely and morally as He commands, and to persevere for truth and justice in our world.
(Information from https://www.history.com/articles/july-4th, https://www.usa.gov/flag#:~:text=History%20of%20the%20American%20flag,:%20vigilance%2C%20perseverance%2C%20and%20justice) Image from Pixabay