Last Updated on May 4, 2019 by Guest Post

The 4th of July

Every year as the Fourth of July approaches, people from all over the United States eagerly anticipate a long holiday watching magnificent fireworks and extravagant parades, while eating great food with family and friends. But these things, regardless of how fun and enjoyable they may be, are not really the real reason that we even celebrate the fourth of July in the first place. It all began with the signing of the Declaration of Independence back in 1776.

On July 4, 1776, America finally became an independent country, free from the rule of the British that had been in control for the last several years. However, this change did not happen overnight. It took a several months of negotiations with England and there were certainly times when it all seemed to be futile. Finally, their efforts paid off when the Continental Congress finally approved the formal declaration.

Prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, King George III of Britain was the sovereign ruler over America and he had British soldiers supervising over the land. Unfair laws were enacted that required Americans to pay taxes to the British, which gradually siphoned the land’s wealth over to the British.

Finally, the colonists from the 13 original colonies decided it was time for a change. They were not going to bow down to the laws of foreign governments anymore and instead they were going to build their own government. Thus, they created the Declaration of Independence.

This document states that the United States of America should have a government that consists of its own people, and that would work for the benefits of its own people as well. It also states that if this basic provision is violated, the citizens of the country have the right to stage a revolution.

In a nutshell, the Declaration of Independence spells freedom for the people of America, then and all the way to the present. The Fourth of July thus marks a very significant day in the lives of all Americans because if it did not happen, we would not be enjoying the freedom that we have today, and that most people actually take for granted.

Just to put things into a clearer perspective, following are some of the things that we would not be enjoying today if our forefathers were not wise enough and courageous enough to make a bold move for the country’s independence many years ago:

–        The freedom of speech.

–        The freedom to have our own beliefs and principles.

–        The freedom to choose our own lifestyle.

The committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence was led by Thomas Jefferson and included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Philip Livingston. Shortly after the signing of this historic document, the Congressional Committee commissioned Betty Ross to sew the American Flag. The first version of the flag, consisting of 13 red and white alternating stripes and 13 white stars in a blue background, became official as the national flag on June 14, 1777.

The very first celebration of American independence was held on the 8^th of July 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was read to the public by Colonel John Nixon. Every year thereafter, the celebration is held every Fourth of July.

Patricia J. Panucci DmD, MS – Specialist in Orthodontics For Children and Adults in Southern California

Dr Patricia Panucci

Dr Patti Panucci attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry for four years, where she graduated with a DMD degree (May 2000) among the Top 10 in her class. Following that, she headed west to Los Angeles to complete her three-year residency at one of the top-ranked orthodontic programs in the country – the University of Southern California.

Along with her certificate in orthodontics, Dr. Panucci earned a master’s degree in craniofacial biology. During those three years, she fell in love with Southern California beach life and decided that this was where her future lay.