Our Lives, Our Fortunes, and Our Sacred Honor

The Declaration of Independence is one of the best known documents in American history.  It, along with the Constitution, defines the nature of this country and its words are what we celebrate on the Fourth of July.

One of the best known phrases in the English language is “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” which in many ways is what it means to be an American.  On the Fourth of July we celebrate our ability to live as we please.  The freedom we have to watch American Idol every week (even if we don’t admit to it), or to eat peanut butter straight out of the jar.  We can go see the new Justin Bieber movie without judgment and we live in a state where several college rivalries can exist harmoniously (for the most part).  Sometimes we forget what a privilege that is!

The last line of the Declaration of Independence reads, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”  The founding fathers were willing to give their lives for the protection of our rights, so the least we can do to thank them is really celebrate!

This July, pursue happiness and come to the Fun Fourth Festival.  Between the block party and the parade it shouldn’t be too hard to leave smiling.