Happy Independence Day, America: May We Continue to Make Progress
As we are sitting in the midst of the craziest year on record in the lives of most of us, I think today is an important day to reflect upon the nature of progress. Progress comes forth through conflict, in one way or another. Whether it is personal progress that arises from some internal conflict or the progress of our entire species that is born from major conflicts in the world, we need this conflict to push us forward. Without it, we would simply remain exactly where we are as we are. And that is not necessarily a good thing. Change and progress are necessary for the survival of the human race. When we stop growing and making improvements, we literally doom ourselves to extinction.
Sometimes it takes a small group of radical people, folks who are willing to push forward fearlessly to implement necessary changes and progress as we continue to evolve as a species. I think we all too often forget that it is the people who fall outside of the herd mentality, the people who think outside of the box, the people who take the risk to speak their minds even when what they believe is not always welcomed by the masses. It is these people who are instrumental in nurturing the growth of our entire species.
And when we take drastic steps towards growth as a species, we tend to celebrate the milestone moments that launched us into forward progress by way of holiday celebrations. There are always new holidays being added to our calendar as important historical things happen that could warrant celebrations. For example, the list of 2022 holidays differs greatly from the holidays that were celebrated in 1922 and 1822.
One milestone moment in American history began when the initial battles of the Revolutionary War broke out in 1775. The colonists who desired independence from Great Britain were in the minority and many of them were considered radicals. Within a year of the commencement of the Revolutionary War, more and more colonists joined the fight toward independence. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of American independence from Great Britain with the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence occurring two days later on July 4. Without these radical colonists fighting against mainstream beliefs, our country could very well look a lot different today.
To honor the anniversary of our nation’s independence, continue reading for some interesting information about the advent of this American holiday. And also be sure to fly your Stars and Stripes proudly. We try to maintain proper flag display and flagpole lighting for our front porch display of patriotism throughout the whole year.
John Adams was adamant that the celebration of our independence should take place every year on July 2, stating that it “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” with festivities that will include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.” (Source) Of course, he was overruled and we continue to celebrate our nation’s independence from Great Britain every year on July 4.
Some more fun facts about the history of Independence Day celebrations:
In the years before the Revolution, many colonists would hold annual celebrations to honor the King of England’s birthday. During the summer of 1776, they shifted this celebration and instead had a mock funeral for King George III as a way to symbolize the end of the monarchy’s control.
In 1778, George Washington issued double rations of rum to all of his soldiers as a way to celebrate the anniversary of our independence.
In 1781, Massachusetts was the first state to declare the 4th of July as an official holiday.
Fireworks were used on July 4, 1777, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the first organized celebration of America’s Independence. It has been a tradition ever since as well as getting dressed in the colors of our flag: red, white, and blue.
United States Congress declared the 4th of July a federal holiday in 1870. It became a paid holiday for all federal employees in 1941.
In honor of the bicentennial celebration of our Independence Day in 1976 (when I was just two years old), my mother dressed my sisters and me in traditional colonial garb and had professional photographs taken. And I have this little gem as evidence…
So this year, as we celebrate the 244th anniversary of our nation’s independence, we find ourselves in the middle of tremendous conflict. This conflict is necessary in order for us to advance and evolve into better citizens and better humans. I hope we are able to make the necessary changes so that we can continue on this path of progress. That is my wish for our country this year as we celebrated 244 years of independence: May we continue to make progress.
How are you celebrating this Independence Day?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: Dress-Thrifted / Kimono-c/o Country Outfitter / Shoes-Just Fab / Earrings-Good Life Gift Shop / Necklace-Moontide Arts
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
17 Comments
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
That is such a fun dress!
I really hope this country sorts itself out, unites, and grows! 244th year growing pains are real…
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Tamar! 244th year growing pains are very real! We have to feel the pain to get the progress, I guess. Many prayers for our nation!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
Happy 4th! May next year be a better one!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I hope you have a great weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
You are so freakin’ adorable. Love your outfit! And I appreciate the observations regarding progress. Hope you are having a lovely weekend!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Michelle, thank you so much, my friend! You are also freaking adorable, by the way! I hope you are also enjoying your weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Midlife and Beyond
I love your dress and the pics Shelbee. We’re all in the same boat, trying to make the best of it at the moment. This situation can’t last forever, here’s to things improving for everyone. Happy 4th, Hope you’re having a fab time enjoying the celebrations with your lovely boys.
Alison xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Alison, thank you so very much! The situation cannot last forever but hopefully it forces some necessary changes in the world that will become more permanent. That is until new changes and progress are required as they always will be. I hope you are enjoying your weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Maureen
What a cute outfit, Shelbee! Perfect for today and other warm weather occasion. I hope you are well and Wishing you and your family a safe but wonderful 4th of July!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Maureen, thank you so much! It is a very comfortable outfit, too, which is essential for hot weather. I hope you are enjoying the weekend, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking very nice and such great words. We always need to make progress and it scares people because progress is about changing ones life. People are loath to do that.
Imagine if those band of rebels 244 years ago didn’t decide change was needed. Where would we be??
Hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Patrick, thanks so much for sharing your insight on progress! I agree with you completely. I hope you had an amazing holiday as well.
xoxo
Shelbee
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Yes, may we continue for sure!! Ok, which little girl are you? The first one, huh? I would have chosen the middle but I guess she doesn’t look two years old. Love the kimono. Thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 14, open until July 26. All party entries shared if social media buttons installed.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Dee! Yes, I am the littlest one in the photo with the super blond hair!
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara Chapman
Happy belated 4th to you and your family, Shelbee!!!! I love your post! This has been a tumultuous year but sometimes change is good. <3 Eleven generations back, two family members were on both sides of the American Revolution fighting for what they believed in. When I was a little girl, we lived at Hanscom AFB, near or in Concord (not quite sure), Massachusetts. I remember a fieldtrip our class went on walking across the bridge there where the first shots were fired ~ the shot heard 'round the world. We also visited Paul Revere's home and a big stone church. I bought postcards that day and one photograph was taken of me and a friend at this big church. Years later, my Aunt Eleanor took me to the graveyard in downtown Boston and it was fun looking at the old headstones from people alive during the War for Independence.
Happy to feature your post this week at SYS #264,
Stay cool and enjoy your summer,
Barb 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Barb, thanks so much for this wonderful comment! That is amazing history, isn’t it? Family members fighting on opposite sides, the hand to hand combat. I can’t even imagine what our world looked like back then. What a lovely surprise also that you have featured this post! I appreciate that so very much. Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
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