Today marks the 234 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, our Independence Day. The day that a small, representative group of individuals penned a document that set forth their complaints against the Crown, and the intention to break free from the British Empire.
Today, we celebrate that event. In doing so, there will be many tributes, parades, and other events where we commemorate the event. There will be and have been many, many posts flying around the internet where individuals set forth some of the meanings that this day holds for them. Here are a few of the things that I would like to point out to my limited readership.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
Over at OpFor Lt. Col. P presents the money quote.
Liberty is a precious and rare thing, handed down from generation to generation with solemn admonishments to preserve it at all costs, for it is in fact something to fight for.
At OMV, the good Major is on a bit of a rant:
There was a special element within those that founded this country. They constructed this thing that started with “We the people” not hey lets be gentle friendly and NOT piss anyone off mentality that has been growing for decades now.
Finally over at Stormbringer’s place he takes a look at a fourth of July that many of us forget. 1863, Gettysburg.
The din of muskets and cannon had faded but the stench and pall of battle still hung in the air; two American armies stared at one another in a heavy rain across bloody fields on the Fourth of July in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1863.
Both armies began to collect their remaining wounded and bury some of the dead. Between 46,000 and 51,000 Americans were casualties of the three-day battle. Union casualties list 23,055 (3,155 killed, 14,531 wounded, 5,369 captured or missing), while Confederate casualties are estimated 23,231 (4,708 killed, 12,693 wounded, 5,830 captured or missing).
Enjoy your holiday. Celebrate it safely.