The Declaration of Independence has room for your signature.

Will this weekend be just another "Fourth of July" with a day off from work and maybe a cookout with the family...or, will you take a moment to remember why we celebrate this day and to honor our founders and this nation? I hope you do both. You know how to do the first. Let me suggest something to help you with the second.

First, why do you think we celebrate Independence Day or the Fourth of July, as many refer to it? Is it to show our patriotism? Is to honor our soldiers? Is it to remember our fight for independence? What about this? The History Channel in its Classroom Study Guide says, "It provides Americans with a day to reflect upon and to honor the diversities of the American people that are united in a common heritage." Well, that's not how I would explain it, but I guess it could be that and all of the above, too. In my simple view, Independence Day is the special time that we set aside once a year to honor and recognize the courage and sacrifices of our nation's founders and what that means to our freedoms today.

To understand the full meaning of Independence Day, you might have to put yourself in the place of the men who founded this nation and the revolution. The signers of the Declaration of Independence faced arrest and the loss of everything they owned. Many patriots suffered and gave their lives in the war and with inadequate provisions. Yet, all of them had the courage and determination to act and prevail. Maybe they have a lesson for us today? If you were in our fight for freedom, could you have done the same as our founders and patriots?

And, what is the document that they signed to initiate our independence--the Declaration of Independence? Maybe it's something that we should read from time-to-time. Here's part of what it says with my emphasis added:

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....

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.... And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

It took a lot of courage to sign that didn't it? Read the last line again..."we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." That was no minor risk or sacrifice, and they did maintain their honor. Would you have signed the declaration of our separation from England if you were in their positions? Think about it and keep reading.

We don't have a time machine, but at The National Archives you have a chance to place your signature on an exact duplicate of the original Declaration itself and to print that out, and maybe you could use that as a symbol of your commitment to freedom and liberty. Join the signers of the Declaration by clicking here.

Also, consider including your family and use this as a fun teaching opportunity for younger people. After all, we want them to know that Independence Day is more than just about diversity. Print out the document of our freedom with their names and give it to them as a souvenir. Besides the sites linked above, which I hope you will check, here are other useful and educational sites to help you and others learn more about our founding and fight for freedom.
Revolutionary War Virtual School
Colonial Hall
A Users Guide to the Declaration of Independence

So, what does Independence Day mean to you? Did you sign the "Declaration of Independence" and print out a copy? I did. How are you going to celebrate this weekend? In any and all events, have a safe, happy, and memorable holiday, and thanks for taking the time to appreciate our nation and honor the people who made it and our freedoms possible.
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Update: The History Channel just sent out an email about their weekend special titled "Force of July." The series starts today with the American Revolution, which is followed by other military themed shows. Their Fourth of July Exhibit provides additional information, and you can go to a nice clip about the National Archives and the Declaration of Independence--which beats me, as I have never even figured out how to put a picture on our site. Why don't you tape the shows so that you don't waste the weekend in front of the television. (I just thought that I would say that before the wives did.) Have a safe one, and look for me at the fireworks show if you're in Peachtree City.