Computing Corner

Most every country has a day of celebration each year in which the birth of the country is acknowledged by all. For the US that day is July 4th or Independence Day.
Americans celebrate the anniversary of the adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Considered the most secular of American holidays, this celebration announced the breaking of ties between the American colonies and England. It is actually recognized in England and elsewhere--France, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland and Canada as well as a courtesy to Americans.

This break on the fourth of July with England granted colonials freedom from English taxation and British rule under King George. The July 4th proclamation of The Declaration of Independence primarily explained, justified and declare the separation as a formal act, though the colonies had been moving in the direction for some time. Independence Day history shows the Declaration is the legal restatement that reaffirms the resolution of colonial independence and ultimately led to the American Revolution.

There were 28 members of the Continental Congress who approved the Declaration of Independence and are considered the founders of the new nation that became known as the "United States of America".

Americans celebrate July 4th considering it the birthday of our country. The fourth of July is a day for family picnics, barbecues, parades, fireworks displays and marching bands as well as historical reproductions of Colonial America. Civic groups in local towns and cities all join in to mark the fourth of July as the day to recall the freedoms heroic Americans created a new country. The federal government does its part by closing all federal offices and banks on this day making it one of the few federal holidays in the US.

Students in American schools receive a full Independence Day history curriculum in elementary and high school classes of this momentous day that is a truly unique US holiday. The pledge of allegiance is taught as early as kindergarten and is marked at nearly all Independence Day public celebrations.

For national unity, the importance of celebrating July 4th annually is crucial to the intent of the Declaration of Independence and those 28 men who founded the United States of America. Nothing is more time-honored than the national pride of seeing the Stars and Stripes borne proudly in parades across the country. The importance of this secular holiday has lasting implications of allegiance to the American homeland as it brings us all together to celebrate a bold idea our forefathers had to declare all Americans equal and do away with monarchy rule.

Independence Day history shows all Americans that this was no easy feat, but took the work of the entire country pulling together to fight on the side of justice and to sacrifice for the good of all. In our time today we face similar opposition and dilemmas that require the same bravery and American spirit as that of our forefathers which is celebrated every July 4th.