Cape News

Ever since childhood, Independence Day has been one of my favorite holidays. While grilling and setting off fireworks is enjoyable, the most important aspect of July 4th is celebrating the birth of America.

Nearly 250 years ago on July 4th, the colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence – a significant document in world history. The Founding Fathers wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

We owe an incredible debt to our Founding Fathers for establishing a nation built on principles and freedoms. They risked their lives to form a government run by the people – not by the wealthy or tyrants – where everyone has the right to practice religion and speak freely without fear.

In recent years, there has been an alarming rise in Americans who aren’t proud to call this nation home, particularly among younger people. A poll last year found that only 18% of 18- to 34-year-olds said they were “extremely proud” to be American. This is seen as a consequence of "wokeness" and educational curriculums from Washington bureaucrats portraying America negatively instead of as a beacon of freedom for nearly 250 years. Efforts have targeted Founding Fathers in attempts to villainize America and rewrite its history.

Students at the University of Virginia called for removing Thomas Jefferson’s name from campus. George Washington University was pressured into changing its mascot from Colonials, which honored Americans who defeated the British Army for independence. Across the country, similar actions aim at erasing national history. However, it was our Founding Fathers who gave people the right to protest – something punishable by jail or death in countries like Iran, China, and North Korea.

Former President Donald Trump stated: “The American Dream is freedom, prosperity, peace – and liberty and justice for all... More than any country in history we’ve made gains toward a democracy that is enviable throughout the world."

In southeast and south-central Missouri, there is pride in living in what many consider the greatest nation globally. Recognizing our freedoms stem from heroic Founding Fathers and those who sacrificed their lives serving our nation is crucial this Independence Day.

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