Fifteen months before the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, the fight leading to the birth of our nation rang out with the battle of Lexington & Concord. That April 19, 1775, skirmish amounted to spring training for the Revolutionary War, with the scoreboard showing Minutemen 1, Redcoats 0.
On that historic day, 49 Americans were killed in the fight. Until the formal ending of the war eight years later on September 3, 1783, the mortality rate totaled 25,324, equating to about 1% of the country’s population at the time.
During the 250 years that have passed, our United States of America has achieved a collective greatness unmatched by any civilization in recorded time. That greatness has been achieved at the cost of 1.1 million military lives, who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that the backyard picnics, sporting events, and yes, even the protests staged in this land of the free could take place. Statistically, 1.1 million is but 0.315186246% of today’s United States population of 349 million: a small percentage, but a HUGE price to pay.
Journalism teachings make the point that when news is written, personal politics and religion should be omitted. The rationale being that everyone has their own views on the subjects and couldn’t care less about the writer’s opinion.
While having the utmost respect for that perspective, this Saturday’s historic and significant commemoration of our 250th anniversary as a nation has nothing to do with politics and religion and everything to do with patriotism and respect. Those twin values still exist in the land of the free and home of the brave, but those values are under attack by a vocal, disrespectful segment of the population that is uninformed and unappreciative of what that 0.315186246% has enabled them to do.
In 1959, Dinah Washington recorded a Grammy Award-winning hit song, “What a Difference a Day Makes.” Those 24 little hours would be unrecognizable in the recorded history of our land, but what do you suppose Thomas Jefferson and the boys would be thinking if they were able to see how the country they helped found was approaching our 250th anniversary?
In celebration of the 1976 bicentennial, the red, white, and blue America’s Freedom Train pulled into Williamsport in July. It has already logged 19,860 miles and crisscrossed through much of America, visiting 34 states and 97 cities. It was a living, moving documentary, comprised of a half-mile of train cars — 25 in all — filled with over 500 pieces of Americana.
A Williamsport Sun Gazette accounting of the train’s visit stated, “Thousands of area residents came out, some dressed in colonial garb, to see the train and celebrate the bicentennial, our nation’s 200th birthday. Many carried cameras and wore big smiles and waved to those on board, held up babies while youngsters raced the train on bicycles.”
A film was made by Steven and Martha Smith, with assistance from John Jopson, documenting some of the city’s Bicentennial events. The celebration was a local expression of the nation’s history with parades, cultural programs, and patriotic displays.
Fifty years later, Williamsport has canceled its traditional fireworks celebration due to safety concerns and insufficient public safety staffing. Mayor Derek Slaughter announced the decision was made “with deep regret.”
The cancel cultural and political unrest has snuffed out the July 4th celebration across the nation. Multiple cities, especially in California, have canceled events citing ICE activities as the reason. Other communities have blown out the celebration candle due to crowd safety concerns.
“Freedom is not free” is a widely recognized slogan in our country to remind people that freedom requires vigilance, service, and sometimes personal sacrifice. In our 250 years, 1.1 million have paid the price. On this July 4th, it is not the time to allow the screaming voices of the dissidents to dim the significance of the United States of America. It has been the people, not the politicians, who are the shining light that offers a beacon of hope for so many.
So, enjoy backyard cookouts and fireworks wherever you can find them, and celebrate the greatness of 250 years.
For sports fans, July 4 has produced some great memories:
1910 – Fight of the Century – Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champion, defeated James Jeffries by a 15th-round TKO in a bout that was both a boxing landmark and a civil rights moment.
1939 – Lou Gehrig’s Farewell speech – the Yankees’ great told fans. “Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth,” before retiring due to ALS.
1975 – Billie Jean King’s Wimbledon Title – winning her sixth Wimbledon singles title, marking her final in tournament singles, and cementing her legacy as a women’s sports pioneer.
1980 & 1984 – Nolan Ryan & Phil Niekro’s 3,000 strikeouts – Both pitchers reached the milestone of July 4, joining the elite group to achieve the feat.
Speakers of various persuasions have often stated, “There is more that unites us than divides us. So, make it a point to talk with someone who is different from you. You may find that you have more in common than you think.”
Happy birthday, USA!
