Dear Minot:
On the surface, Independence Day is a federal holiday commemorating the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.
But we all know July 4 is so much more than that.
In a broad sense, July 4 represents our grandest opportunity to recognize and celebrate the work done by the founders of our country, who fought a lengthy and bloody war against tyranny and created the world’s greatest nation in the process. That’s the big picture. On a smaller day-to-day scale, July 4 certainly means different things to all of us.
For some, it simply means the freedom to spend time with family, whether it’s at a backyard barbeque, attending a community event, or watching a fireworks display.
For others, it’s the freedom to attend a religious service of your choice without fear of persecution or retribution by the government. Again, not every person around the world enjoys the simple freedom of religion that we consider to be a fundamental right. Not a privilege; a right.
Or, it’s the freedom we enjoy to disagree with and question our government at every level. Be mindful that residents of many countries around the world do not enjoy this right that we take for granted. Political dissent is not welcome or tolerated in countless countries, especially in public settings. But our country is built on pillars that include the right to free speech, even when that means disagreeing with government officials.
Our form of government wasn’t created by a group of guys in powdered wigs sitting around a table nodding their unanimous approval of everything being discussed. Quite the contrary. There were plenty of disagreements between our founding fathers, but that discord led to purposeful and useful discussion, and eventually, to compromise and agreement.
The sacrifices endured by those who fought for and won our independence - and everyone who has since fought to keep our freedoms intact - are a lasting testament to the overwhelming power of the people, and what can be accomplished when those opposing oppression rise up and work together to achieve success through compromise and resilience.
Certainly our nation remains a work in progress, even more than 200 years after those hectic and quarrelsome days in 1776 that led to the creation and approval of the Declaration of Independence. Our nation has evolved by necessity, grown through compromise, and thrived because of our willingness to learn painful lessons and continue to make difficult decisions.
We must remember that freedom hasn’t been free. It was an idea formed and shared by a hopeful and progressive group of our ancestors, who together forged the greatest nation the world has ever seen. Centuries later, the words of George Washington still ring true: “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.”
Let’s all think about that for a moment on July 4 when we’re sharing a good meal, a cold drink, and a spectacular fireworks display with our family and friends. We must never forget those who paved the way for the litany of freedoms we enjoy today, and we must always strive to insure those freedoms endure for the generations that come after us.
Join me in asking yourself this question on Independence Day: What freedoms are you especially thankful for?
Happy Fourth of July!
You can find more about what’s happening at the City of Minot at minotnd.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We’d also encourage you to sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter on our website.