The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is one of the most cherished and patriotic holidays in the United States. It commemorates July 4, 1776, the date on which the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, marking the American colonies’ official break from British rule. The holiday celebrates the birth of the United States of America as a sovereign nation.
The key figures behind this pivotal moment in history include:
- Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration.
- John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, who helped draft and refine the document.
- Richard Henry Lee, who introduced the original resolution for independence.
- George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, who embodied the military struggle for liberty.
- The Continental Congress, whose members risked their lives and fortunes by signing the Declaration.
The Declaration of Independence boldly proclaimed that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These were revolutionary ideas for their time and remain foundational to the American ethos.
Traditional Observances and Fireworks
Americans have celebrated the Fourth of July since the earliest days of the republic. John Adams, in a letter to his wife Abigail, predicted that the day would be “celebrated by succeeding generations…with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations.”
Today, those “illuminations” are best seen in fireworks, which have become the signature tradition of the holiday. Fireworks symbolize the “rockets’ red glare” referenced in “The Star-Spangled Banner” and evoke both the battle for freedom and the celebration of liberty. The first organized fireworks display for the Fourth took place in Philadelphia in 1777, just one year after independence.
Other common observances include:
- Parades featuring veterans, flags, marching bands, and floats.
- Military flyovers and cannon salutes.
- Concerts, especially of patriotic music.
- Barbecues and cookouts, which foster community and family togetherness.
Regional Foods and American Traditions
For those unfamiliar with American customs, food plays a central role in Independence Day celebrations, often reflecting the region:
- Southern States: Pulled pork sandwiches, fried chicken, baked beans, cornbread, and sweet tea.
- Midwestern States: Grilled bratwursts, burgers, corn on the cob, potato salad, and fruit pies (especially cherry and apple).
- New England: Lobster rolls, clam bakes, baked beans, and brown bread.
- Southwest: Tex-Mex foods such as tacos, fajitas, and grilled corn with chili powder and lime.
- Pacific Coast: Fish tacos, avocado salads, and California-style barbecues with tri-tip steak.
No matter the region, the meal is usually casual, grilled, and served outdoors. Red, white, and blue desserts—decorated with strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream—are common as well.
The Left’s Resentment Toward the Fourth of July
In recent years, the radical left has launched a sustained assault on Independence Day, seeing it as a symbol of American exceptionalism, Western civilization, and Christian moral foundations—all of which stand in the way of their progressive agenda.
Leftist Claims and Disruptions:
- Accusations of Hypocrisy and Racism:
- Leftist critics often claim that the Declaration’s promise of equality was hollow because slavery existed at the time.
- They promote alternative narratives like “The 1619 Project”, which falsely asserts that America’s true founding was based on slavery, not liberty.
- Promotion of Alternative Holidays:
- The left has elevated Juneteenth (June 19) to national prominence, not merely to honor emancipation, but in some circles to replace July 4 as a more “inclusive” holiday.
- Radical activists have called for replacing the Fourth of July with “a day of mourning” or a “national reckoning.”
- Public Acts of Protest:
- Antifa and BLM groups have disrupted Fourth of July events, burned flags, and called the holiday “white supremacist.”
- In 2020, the New York Times published an op-ed questioning the legitimacy of celebrating the Fourth.
- At some universities and progressive cities, fireworks celebrations have been canceled or scaled back for allegedly being “insensitive,” “colonialist,” or harmful to animals.
Why Days of Remembrance Matter
Remembrance days, especially national holidays, anchor a culture. They:
- Teach shared values and history.
- Promote unity and national identity.
- Transmit traditions to future generations.
When a nation’s cultural memory is erased or vilified, it becomes vulnerable to radical redefinition. History is the soul of a people. When it is destroyed, the people lose their anchor.
Mao’s “Four Olds” and the Dangers of Cultural Purging
The American left’s attempt to rewrite or eliminate patriotic observances has a disturbing precedent: Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution in Communist China.
In 1966, Mao launched the “Destroy the Four Olds” campaign, targeting:
- Old customs
- Old culture
- Old habits
- Old ideas
Mao’s Red Guards, mostly radicalized youth, destroyed historic sites, burned books, persecuted intellectuals, banned religious celebrations, and replaced traditional holidays with state-orchestrated propaganda events.
The purpose? To erase the past, break loyalty to family and heritage, and create a blank slate for Communist indoctrination.
Similarly, today’s cultural revolutionaries seek to erase Christian holidays, American founding celebrations, and patriotic customs to make room for a Neo-Marxist worldview built on perpetual grievance, racial division, and the denial of transcendent truth.
A Call to Patriotic Defiance
In light of these cultural attacks, it is not enough to passively celebrate the Fourth of July—we must intentionally and publicly observe it.
- Fly the American flag.
- Teach your children the true story of our founding.
- Sing “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “America the Beautiful”, and “God Bless America.”
- Invite your neighbors to a barbecue, and celebrate freedom, family, and faith.
- Push back against the lie that America is irredeemably flawed. Acknowledge our sins, yes—but emphasize our courageous striving toward a God-given ideal of liberty.
Let Independence Day serve as a line in the sand—a day when ordinary Americans say “No more” to the erasure of our heritage.
Conclusion
The Fourth of July is not just a holiday—it is a declaration of who we are. It is a defiant affirmation of liberty over tyranny, truth over propaganda, and remembrance over revisionism.
In a time when many are trying to forget, let us remember. When many are trying to destroy, let us preserve. When others kneel in shame, let us stand in gratitude for the blessings of liberty.
Let us celebrate the Fourth of July not just as a birthday party for a nation, but as a battle cry to preserve what made America good and great.
S.D.G.,
Robert Sparkman
rob@christiannewsjunkie.com
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