The Fourth of July: Family, freedom and fun

BY KATIE STEED

SUMMER INTERN

Every year, thousands of people from the United States celebrate the Fourth of July. Everyone knows the fireworks, the barbecues, and the red, white and blue apparel you find in stores. Everyone knows the Florida heat that comes in July. 

However, the most important aspect of the Fourth of July is the feeling of patriotism and hope for more to come in our country. 

In the U.S., July 4 is simply known as the day the American colonists broke away from Great Britain. But it has transformed into so much more than that. The Fourth of July is a promise to all Americans — past, present and future — that this country will uphold the freedoms and liberties granted to you by being an American.

When the Declaration of Independence was formally written, former President John Adams wrote to his wife, Abagail Adams, in July 1776, that all Americans would celebrate this new found independence from Great Britain with fireworks, parades, festivals and parties for many years to come. He was incredibly correct in his statement. The first celebration of Independence Day took place on July 4, 1777. Since then, it has become one of the most celebrated American holidays. It later became a paid federal holiday in 1941 under the FDR administration. 

The Fourth of July takes on a new face within every community in America. Every person views this celebration in different perspectives — whether it is recognized as a patriotic celebration or just an excuse to spend time with family.

The Fourth of July has brought some of the happiest moments in my life. I think of the countless summers I spent with my family at the beach. Just the thought of it makes me feel the smoke from the grill grazing my skin and filling my hair — just because we wanted barbecue. It makes me think of late-night trips to the local gas station, just to get pints of ice cream, because we all had a craving for some ice cream. It makes me think of the smell of the ocean right when you wake up in the morning. The light dimming from around us as we night swim in the ocean. The feeling of my own family members loving one another and their country. 

This truly American holiday has something for everyone — from Winter Garden with its Fourth of July family breakfast and parade all the way to Independence’s spectacular Fourth of July fireworks. Every community has its own celebration for the holiday. This is our job as American’s when it comes to this traditional holiday: to keep it going. To make it evolve and change as the country does and has throughout the past 245 years. We are not the same country we were when we celebrated the first Fourth of July, but we are still the same when it comes to our birthright — the privileges and liberties we have and express. 

I hope this Fourth of July is safe and fun as we celebrate another year of our country’s independence.