May the world never lose sight or forget this shining moment in United States and the world’s history, and the faith of a few brave men that laid the way for a new voice for freedom. The Fourth of July is one of our greatest moments in history, perhaps our proudest and most shining. We remember this holiday as the moment celebrating our nation’s freedom from the control of tyrants and a distant empire.
The fourth of July was the day that a group of brave, determined men rose and told the British Empire’s King George that the Americans were not second class citizens. They declared that this land was not merely the property of far-away landowners, to be used and abused by rulers who had never even seen the shores. They announced to the world that America was a great place in and of itself, not merely an extension of England. They declared that this fact gave them the right to have a voice in their future, regardless of whether they were European or high society by birth. Then in turn, they used this voice to demand the right to have a say in their own government, the right to decide what happened within their borders, and the right to stake their own, independent claim on the land they had worked for and loved so dearly. They reminded King George and his parliament of the English’s own Magna Carta and the freedoms it entailed. And then they enforced those rights. They threw off their imperial yoke and proved once and for all that this land was independent. That it was strong. That it’s people were willing to fight and die for it. And that it wasn’t going anywhere, at least not for a very long time.
Not only did they prove their mettle to England, they also reminded the world that ancient empires, blue blood, and advanced armies were not guaranteed a victory. That sometimes a group of rustic, common, poorly armed men and women can win too. That sometimes it is a passion in your battle and knowledge of what you stand to lose that makes the difference. That those facing the greater cost have an extraordinary will-power and the ability to survive just about anything. It’s just a matter of believing in your cause so much, nothing else matters in the end ~ food, clothing, the comforts of home, even the most basic needs – all can be set aside in the name of this cause. With that much determination, it is amazing what you can do.
And so to honor this great stride for freedom and human independent rights, we salute you, the soldiers of the American War of Independence. You who put everything on the line in the name of your home, your family, your friends, and your land. We thank you for giving us the one chance in a million, for believing in humanity enough to give your citizens a voice. For having enough faith in the little guy to rise up and make yourself heard. And in your name, we still say “God Bless America.”
“Vases with Bird-and-Flower Painting” by Wang Bu (1898–1968) 
Deceptively Blonde 