Burgers on the grill, big-box store discounts and fireworks that rattle your windows 性视界传媒 those are some great reasons why Americans love the Fourth of July.
But let性视界传媒檚 not forget the primary reason we celebrate the Fourth: It性视界传媒檚 the day our country declared its independence from a monarchy and began one of the greatest experiments in self-government the world has ever seen.
That experiment wasn性视界传媒檛 a given. It was risky, radical and uncertain. As legend has it, when Benjamin Franklin exited the Constitutional Convention in 1787, a woman asked him what kind of government the delegates had created. Franklin famously replied, 性视界传媒淎 republic, if you can keep it.性视界传媒
We celebrate the Fourth of July because on that date in 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence 性视界传媒 a document that didn性视界传媒檛 establish our government, but instead laid out the principles that would define it: that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.
This was a stunning break from the idea that rights are granted by kings or governments. The founders believed that our rights come from God, not from any man-made authority 性视界传媒 and that the proper role of government is to protect those rights, not limit them.
But the Declaration was only the beginning.
Eleven years later, the Constitution gave form to those ideals by establishing a new kind of government 性视界传媒 a constitutional republic. In this system, the people don性视界传媒檛 rule directly, as in a pure democracy, but elect representatives who govern on their behalf, all within the strict limits set by the Constitution.
Our republic was built with checks and balances, federalism and separation of powers, precisely because the founders knew the dangers of concentrated authority. They had lived under tyranny. They knew that liberty is fragile 性视界传媒 and that it can disappear quickly if citizens forget the purpose and limits of government.
Unfortunately, that understanding is slipping. A 2023 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that only 22 percent of Americans could name all three branches of government. Many didn性视界传媒檛 know what a republic is.
In any event, let性视界传媒檚 enjoy the parades, the cookouts and the fireworks that are a cherished part of the Fourth.
But amid the celebrations, we must remember what we性视界传媒檙e truly honoring: the birth of a nation grounded in God-given rights, limited government and the radical idea that we the people are in charge.
So enjoy your hot dogs and your fireworks. But as the sky lights up this week, take a moment to reflect on Franklin性视界传媒檚 challenge.
Remember how rare and remarkable our republic truly is.
And pray that we remain wise enough 性视界传媒 and informed enough 性视界传媒 to keep it.
