The celebration of July 4th each year in America is a commemoration of the Declaration of Independence.  Our second president, John Adams, always maintained that the Declaration was actually completed on July 2nd, but its first publication was July 4th, 1776.  So, our holiday has been and remains on July 4th.

Many reflect on this holiday and point out the contradictions in the language the Declaration.  For example – “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.”

Many remind us that slaveholders signed onto this Declaration and that is an important point to make.  But we also should take this document into its historical context as well.

Most nations in the world at that time were ruled by royal families.  The idea that a nation could function as a republic without royalty on top was a big break from the norm.  It is for this reason that our Declaration of Independence, with its issues and occasional contradictions, was an important document in world history at that time.

The nonprofit news organization headquartered at the Statehouse, Indiana Capitol Chronicle, has reposted the text of the Declaration as their way of celebrating July 4th this year.  I think that is a great idea.  You can read that Capitol Chronicle posting of the Declaration at this link.

Happy 4th of July everyone!