Independence Day celebrates the Declaration of Independence issued in 1776. While it was actually approved two days earlier by the Continental Congress, July 4th was the date featured prominently on the famous document.
July 4th is also the anniversary of the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams who, coincidently, both passed away on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. They were the only two men who both signed the Declaration of Independence and later served as presidents of the United States.
John Adams once said, “Posterity! you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.”
This Independence Day, let us remember our founding and the blood, sweat, and tears that were shed to secure our freedom. Let’s make sure that we are doing our part to preserve that freedom today and to counter the many threats — both foreign and domestic — that threaten it at every turn.