What an incredible weekend of celebrating Independence Day it has been! Our weather was dark, hot, and rainy, but that did not dampen our spirits. My oldest daughter came to celebrate the July 4th holiday with us. We had several in-depth conversations—the kind you have when it’s one-on-one time with a loved one.
Family Revelations and Shared Stories from Independence Day
One family discovery led to another: my husband’s great-great-grandfather served in the Civil War! He was an American. That was interesting because my husband, his mother, and two of his siblings are naturalized American citizens. We are still uncovering the circumstances that caused his grandmother to emigrate from the U.S.A. to Canada and start a family there.
Another family story adds to that thread: my father, a naturalized citizen, was not an American when I was born. My mother was a natural-born citizen, and so am I. A search of records showed that I was 5 years old when my father was naturalized.
Family Fun on July 4th
In between the family roots discussions, my older daughter and I did some red, white, and blue shopping together. We also watched the military bands entertain at both the Mt. Rushmore and the Washington, D.C. Freedom 250 events, as well as the amazing fireworks displays.
As we talked, we considered that some people might find fault with the expense or environmental impact of such magnificent pyrotechnics, but decided this was a once-in-a-lifetime event. We agreed that next year’s fireworks will surely be more cost-effective and shorter.
Finally, on July 5, my husband and I took in the new release, “Young Washington,” at a local movie theater. The 4:00 p.m. audience erupted in applause at the end of the movie, and some people stayed until the credits rolled. That’s how you know a movie is impactful.
Your Independence Day Celebrations
How did you celebrate the Independence Day weekend? Maybe you saw a parade or the presentation of colors by local retired military members, as I did earlier in the week. Perhaps you read stirring historical accounts of America’s founding. I have certainly enjoyed writing weekly for a year on Common Sense Civics and Citizenship about the Declaration of Independence, and perhaps you were inspired by a civics lesson to prepare for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Thank you for being a fellow American who appreciates and celebrates our freedoms!
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸
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