Written by My Collaborative Team President Edward S. Sachs
As I find myself in the Washington, D.C. area during 4th of July, it is a bit depressing. While we are celebrating 250 years, there is much division in our country. The celebration just doesn’t seem exciting. So I asked myself, why should we celebrate Independence Day?
Every year on July 4th, Americans gather in backyards, parks, and neighborhoods armed with hamburgers, hot dogs, and enough potato salad to feed a small nation. We wear red, white, and blue, wave flags, and set off fireworks that terrify dogs and confuse local wildlife. But why do we celebrate Independence Day? Allow me to present a few very compelling reasons.
"Happy Separation Day" Doesn't Have the Same Ring to It
In 1776, a group of colonists decided they had finally had enough of being told what to do by a king who lived 3,000 miles away. Instead of sending a strongly worded email, they wrote the Declaration of Independence. It was essentially history's most famous "It's not me, it's you" letter. That deserves a celebration.
Americans love rooting for the underdog. Rocky. The little engine that could. The last cookie that somehow survives a family gathering. The American colonies were the original underdogs with fewer resources, fewer soldiers, and no social media campaign to rally support. Yet somehow, they pulled it off. If that's not worth grilling a few burgers over, what is?
Fireworks Are Legalized Childhood
For one magical evening each year, adults spend money on things that explode and call it patriotism. Children stare in amazement. Adults pretend they know how fireworks work. Grandparents remind everyone that the fireworks were "much bigger when I was young." It's one of the few holidays where making loud noises after dark is considered festive instead of suspicious.
Hot Dogs Taste Better on July 4th
Scientists have never officially confirmed this, but everyone knows it's true. A hot dog consumed on Independence Day is somehow superior to the exact same hot dog eaten on a random Tuesday in February. It's one of the great mysteries of the universe.
Freedom Is Worth Celebrating
Beneath the cookouts and fireworks lies something genuinely important. Independence Day reminds us that self-government, liberty, and the ability to chart our own course are extraordinary ideas. The people who signed the Declaration of Independence risked their fortunes, their reputations, and even their lives for those principles. That's a pretty good reason to pause, reflect, and be grateful.
We Could All Use a Day Off
Let's be honest. Sometimes the most patriotic thing you can do is sit in a lawn chair, eat a second piece of pie, and enjoy a summer evening with family and friends. The Founding Fathers may not have envisioned inflatable pool floats and backyard cornhole tournaments, but they probably would have approved of a day dedicated to celebrating freedom and community.
So this July 4th, wave the flag, eat the hot dog, admire the fireworks, and appreciate the remarkable experiment that began in 1776, and if you accidentally burn the hamburgers? Declare your independence from cooking and order pizza. That's freedom, too.
