Independence Day | Naming the Days

On any day of the yr, we do nicely to ponder what liberty means and the way our authorities serves — or doesn’t serve — to guard this and different rights. However Independence Day offers us a extra centered alternative. On July 4, 1776, delegates from the Continental Congress accepted the Declaration of Independence, after a vote on July 2 that the 13 British colonies in America must be “free and unbiased states.” The declaration acknowledged that governments, shaped by the “consent of the ruled,” are supposed to shield the rights which Thomas Jefferson known as self-evident: “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The declaration additionally addressed what the members of the Continental Congress thought-about to be abuses of energy by King George the III, and it concluded by saying that the colonies had change into “the US of America.”

Our Fourth of July experiences typically usually are not that dramatic! Besides — along with having a picnic, elevating a flag, watching fireworks, or no matter else means “Independence Day” to you — we invite you to make this present day aware and related. Listed below are some options of the way you’ll be able to discover the day’s significance.

To Identify This Day . . .

Religious Practices

Take a Freedom Pledge: In the course of the years 1947-1949, folks round the US obtained to see the Declaration of Independence and different paperwork pertaining to freedom when a particular prepare carrying worthwhile articles from the Nationwide Archives traveled greater than 37,000 miles to fulfill them in and close to their very own cities. The greater than 3.5 million individuals who walked by the prepare have been invited to signal a Freedom Pledge. Be taught extra about this pledge and modify the wording to make it your personal.

Sing a Democracy Tune: Many people grew up singing patriotic songs; we all know the tunes and possibly even the phrases by coronary heart. So what higher approach to discover the that means of liberty than to attempt some different lyrics? Micah Bucey, an everyday contributor to Spirituality & Observe, turned 4 conventional songs into queries concerning the nature of democracy in our occasions. Sing together with him (audio supplied) and check out your hand at your personal lyrics if you want!

Recommend an Various Nationwide Anthem: As hovering as its tune and a few of its sentiments could also be, “The Star-Spangled Banner” presents a troubling spin on our nationwide values, particularly when it suggests within the remaining verse that when we’ve got a simply trigger, we should conquer. We invite you to submit your suggestions for a nationwide anthem that out of your perspective most precisely displays America’s values and virtues, comparable to equality, freedom, justice for all, the frequent good, and in style sovereignty — the concept that the ability of presidency comes from us, the folks.

Take a Vow of Citizenship: Naturalization ceremonies usually occur on the Fourth of July, so it is a good time to ponder what democracy means to us and requires of us. If you want to host a Citizenship Vow Ceremony in your neighborhood — or just to make a citizenship vow of your personal — please be happy to make use of the ritual on this web page.

Go to the Practising Democracy Venture: For those who discover the above options intriguing and wish extra, we welcome you to go deeper. Since 2017, Spirituality & Observe has been working with the Fetzer Institute to design assets for practising democracy. Take a look at this overview of the mission and observe the icons and different hyperlinks you may discover there to uncover a wealth of non secular practices, books, movies, music, prayers, quotes, movies, associated matters, and rather more.