Celebrating Freedom

Independence Day isn’t just about barbecues, flags, waving in the summer breeze, or fireworks lighting up the night sky (though I’m definitely looking forward to all of that!).  It’s a moment to pause and think about what brought us here—and how each of us play a part in keeping that story alive.  I want to share some thoughts with you about this holiday.  

I can’t think of Independence Day without thinking of July 1776. The colonial leaders—farmers, merchants, dreamers—gathered in Philadelphia, sweating through their wool coats in that sticky July heat. They weren’t just signing the Declaration of Independence; they were betting everything on an idea: that a people could govern themselves. Thomas Jefferson’s words still echo—“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”—and they remind me how bold that gamble was. They didn’t have it all figured out, but they believed in the power of their unified voices.   

I am also reminded of another July that shaped our nation. While the country tore itself apart in the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln stood on the blood-soaked fields of Gettysburg and redefined what this experiment in freedom could mean. His Gettysburg Address—barely 272 words—didn’t just honor the fallen, it called on the living to ensure “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” I think about how fragile our republic must have felt then, and how it still depends on us to care for and preserve it. Lincoln wasn’t talking about some distant ideal—he was talking about a duty we inherit.  

That brings me to something constantly on my mind: voting. I know, it’s not exactly the most glamorous part of being American. It’s standing in line, fumbling with ballots, maybe even grumbling about the options. But when I connect it back to 1776 and 1863, those concerns fade in comparison to my role in the process as a citizen. Those patriots didn’t risk everything so we could sit it out. Voting is our chance to take the baton in this relay race of freedom. It’s not just a right—it’s a way to say, “I’m here, and I care about where this is all going.”  

I look at Independence Day as a personal call to action. It’s not just about celebrating what was—it’s about owning what is and shaping what will be. You and I, we’re not powerless. We’ve got voices, votes, and a stake in this messy, beautiful thing called a constitutional republic. So this Fourth, as we watch the fireworks burst and fade, I hope we’ll both feel that spark of responsibility, too. Let’s honor those who started this by keeping it going—together.   

What do you say—grill some burgers, wave a sparkler, and talk about what we want this country to stand for? I’d love to hear your take. Until then, happy Independence Day. Here’s to freedom, history, and us being part of it. 

P.S. Make sure to check out our playlist with some of our staff's favorite patriotic songs! Click here!