Happy Independence Day 2025

[theGinsue]

Happy Independence Day everyone! Do yourself a favor and read the text of the Declaration of Independence:

In Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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 of 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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world......

<edited for quoting brevity>

This Declaration was and still is an amazing document and I wouldn't change a thing. BUT... I'm often accused of being a bit long-winded (alright, who said "a bit?"). Aaaaand, anyone who says this is 100% correct. The Declaration is quite a long-winded document. I think, especially in cases like the Declaration of Independence, being clear and detailed about your desires and intentions is critical; even more so when you're effectively telling your government (King) to fuck off. Our language has changed significantly over the past 249 years. They wrote and spoke so much more eloquently in 1776 than we do now. Due to the language changes, reading and fully understanding the content and the intent of this document takes time - time I still believe EVERY American citizen should take with regularity.

We like the reading of DOI by John F Kennedy. I play it for whoever might be visiting each year.

For us Independence Day is always a double celebration, Mrs bo shares the day of birth with our nation and we are very proud of America and to be Americans.
Then we celebrate Mrs bo with great food and drink and fireworks(she thinks they are for her).

I knew nothing about this reading until your mention of it here. I've now found it and downloaded it from the Kennedy Library. Thank you for mentioning it.

Please wish the Mrs., from me, a very Happy Birthday and congratulations on another successful year (even though we've never met).

Thanks Ginsue, HoneyBadger, BushMasterBoy and everyone!

Where's the 'like' button when you need one?

Happy Fourth of July!

You are most welcome. It is my honor!

- T