10 Reasons to Love the 4th of July

July 4th is a bittersweet holiday. It’s sweet because it’s right smack in the middle of summer. It’s bitter because it means that summer is flying by.

Nonetheless, there are plenty-o-reasons to love the 4th of July. Here are ten of them:

  1. It was on this day that the Continental Congress voted a second time on the Declaration of Independence. John Adams wrote in a letter to wife, Abigail: “It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”
  2. Speaking of John Adams, every 4th of July my dad watches the movie musical 1776. It is a wonderful re-telling (with a bit of artistic license) of the days leading up to that first July 4th in Philadelphia in the midst of turmoil within the First Continental Congress. Rent it this year. You’ll love it.
  3. It’s a great excuse for great food. Ribs. Burgers. Brisket. Pulled Pork. Cole Slaw. Potato Salad. Watermelon. Appetizers of all kinds. Need I say more? Yum.
  4. Everyone seems to be in “vacation mode.” That’s a good thing. People are happier, more friendly, and sharing plenty of toothy smiles.
  5. The world’s greatest music festival, Milwaukee’s Summerfest, is in full swing. Is there a band you’d like to hear live? Chances are they’re playing at Summerfest over the course of ten wonderful days.
  6. It brings back memories for me of living in small town North Carolina and watching the Old Soldiers Parade. It’s a throw-back to post Civil War times and true Americana. It’s also a day to remember another slice of Americana: sitting on the curb with a box of donuts watching the Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, 4th of July Parade with great friends.
  7. Singing the National Anthem often makes me well up with tears. I’m a patriotic person, and July 4th is a whole day set aside to be thankful for the freedoms of my beloved country. Have you ever seen the American Experience at EPCOT in Disneyworld? Talk about tear-inducing.
  8. Many women and men have sacrificed time, comfort, and even their lives for my freedom. July 4th is a day to remember and thank them.
  9. I love a good fireworks show…especially if I’m the one who gets to set them off. I fondly remember my brother-in-law putting a firecracker and a teddy bear in very close proximity with one another…but that’s another story.
  10. (Your idea here)

I have intentionally left number 10 blank because I’d like for you to suggest your own reason to love the 4th of July. Please respond below with a comment.

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

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7 thoughts on “10 Reasons to Love the 4th of July

    • Of course I love your #6, Tom! As I was growing up, we would usually spend the 4th on my Grandpa's farm in Illinois. My grandpa would always make sure there were plenty of sparklers for us kids to light. I used to be afraid to hold them by myself and then remember being so proud the first time I held one alone!! Wahoo!!! To this day, sparklers remind me of those happy times.

  1. My birthday!!! Especially when I was lead to believe that the July 3 fireworks show was solely to celebrate my birthday. Oh the things you believe when you're young. But it's still fun to pretend. You feel like a kid when you're watching fireworks. So maybe that's my #10 instead. 🙂

    • Woohoo!!! Happy Birthday! And I was also led to believe the the July 3 fireworks were for Shelley's birthday. What do ya know?!

  2. When we celebrate the hard-won Liberty of our nation, I always remember our freedom from sin even harder-won by Christ for us. Now THAT deserves some serious fireworks, eh?