How One Should Really Celebrate the 4th of July

Although I’d been taught the significance of July 4, 1776 decades ago in elementary school, I’d never participated in an authentic celebration that commemorated the struggles and sacrifices of our forefathers. I’d never even realized that the Fourth of July was anything more than picnics, barbecues, fishing, sports tournaments, and fireworks. I guess in a cynical fashion, these festivities can be construed as celebrating the freedoms we now seemingly take for granted.

I don’t believe I’m the only one who believes that rowdy drunkenness and carousing is an inappropriate way to remember the all too serious war that brought about the Fourth of July. I’m no prude, nor do I look down on those who choose to spend this holiday in such a manner, but I firmly believe the true purpose has been lost on today’s younger generations and that truly is a shame because there still exists many countries around the world that are battling or protesting for the same freedoms we have here.

Just recently, Jordanian King Abdullah II announced an all-encompassing range of political reforms after protestors demanded a change in government structure about six months ago. Included in these changes are fair elections and economic reforms that include changes to Jordan’s tax system. As an example, the Jordan of today only minutely resembles a young North America before the creation of the United States, but the ultimate goals of these reforms are similar to the reasons for the War of Independence: to establish a democracy, promote religious and political tolerance, and to increase respect for human rights. It’s these types of struggles that today’s generation should be more aware of and knowing and appreciating how they gained their freedom is as important as having it.

I’m certain I can’t be the only cynic in the boat when it comes to how increasingly commercialized every holiday has become in the United States. The detrimental effect of marketing every holiday like it’s Christmas is going to be a gradual rising ignorance of the history of America, a grand country so many others envy for our freedoms and capitalistic ventures.

I am ashamed to admit that I laugh at those who are ignorant about American history and politics even though I know it’s a serious matter. On the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he does a bit called “Jaywalking” where he asks strangers on the street questions about those very topics and the crowd/viewer has to guess if the person will answer correctly. Not surprisingly, very few know next to nothing about history or politics, but if one were to ask them which star in Hollywood is in the next big summer flick, chances are, they’ll know the answer. Shame on you, America! It’s time to stop the apathy and laughable ignorance; this truly could be the downfall of our vaunted country one day.

When I think of the War for Independence, I remember General George Washington at Valley Forge and his brave men who withstood the cold winter and aching hunger in their bellies because they knew if they could survive that, they could very possibly win their freedom. If this event took place within recent memory, I highly doubt everyone would celebrate with a plethora of food and alcohol. Indeed, I could almost guarantee that the commemoration of our freedom would be a much more somber event that is meant to acknowledge the sufferings of our forbearers and thank them in a more meaningful way.

So how does one make celebrating the Fourth of July more meaningful? I do believe that is the purpose of museums and historical sites. Taking the kids to visit an actual military fort that was built hundreds of years ago could be an adventure and history lesson all rolled into one trip. Check the local historical society for great destinations to visit and learn about local heroes and heroines of the past. Even my own kids are not immune to the charms of museums even though they aren’t of school age yet.

Many public libraries in bigger cities also offer free passes to museums and other great, educational locales if one is on a tight budget. And speaking of the library, check out age-appropriate history books for children. Make bedtime story reading educational because kids are capable of learning outside the classroom as well. And for the older child, I always think it’s fun to play a board game with a historical context. I would recommend going to your favorite search engine and typing in “board games, American history” and although a lot of it might pop up as “for the classroom only”, go ahead and read the ideas and create a history game of your own with the kids. Not only do the kids benefit from a fun way to learn history, but also, one can create a great family memory or tradition.

As adults, we can contribute to the future of America by paying tribute to the past. Let’s not forget the bloodshed that led us to where we are now because to forget means to no longer appreciate these hard-won freedoms. Make your Fourth of July festivities more valuable by keeping alive the spirit of the American forefathers. At the minimum, with each tip of that beer can, make sure to salute each of them for giving you this holiday and allowing you to be where you are right now because of their sacrifices.