Call me a Yankee Doodle Dandy, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the Fourth of July. There’s something about this day—the spirit of it—that just hits differently. Maybe it’s the sense of unity. Maybe it’s the history. Or maybe it’s the simple joy of seeing families gathered together under a sky ready to burst into color.
We throw around the term “Independence Day” so casually now, it’s easy to forget what a radical, world-shaking moment July 4, 1776, actually was. Thirteen colonies—diverse, scattered, and under-equipped—stood up and declared themselves free from one of the most powerful empires on Earth. It was not just a rejection of a king. It was a bold commitment to an idea: that people have the right to govern themselves, and that liberty is worth fighting for.
That Declaration of Independence, signed by men whose names are now etched into the foundations of American history, wasn’t just a letter to the British Crown. It was a statement to the world—and to the future—that freedom, equality, and the right to pursue happiness weren’t privileges granted by rulers, but inalienable rights held by all people.
And they didn’t do it in a moment of comfort or convenience. They did it knowing full well that it could cost them everything. Lives, fortunes, reputations. Still, they signed their names to the bottom of that document and said, in essence, “Let history judge us—we’re doing this anyway.” That kind of courage is worth honoring.
Tomorrow, and throughout the weekend, we mark the occasion with fireworks and cookouts and concerts. We wave flags and eat too much and stay out late. And yes—some even gather on overpasses to wave Old Glory at passing cars. It’s a small gesture, sure, but one that carries the same spirit as those signatures in 1776: a reminder that freedom is worth celebrating, and community is worth showing up for.
That’s why the Fourth is my favorite holiday. It’s loud. It’s proud. It’s messy and imperfect—just like the country it celebrates. But beneath the noise and the spectacle is a powerful story: of risk, rebellion, and the birth of an idea that still echoes nearly 250 years later.
Happy Independence Day. Let’s not just celebrate it—let’s reflect on it, too.