The Fourth of July
It’s the Fourth of July. From what I recall about American history, this is the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. This day marks the start of the American Revolution. I live in a country of revolutionaries who still celebrate this day with fireworks and explosions of all kinds.
The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. Perhaps this is because of the fireworks that go with it. Maybe I have pyromaniacal tendencies that make me like fireworks. Maybe it is just the colorful display. I also like the backyard barbecue and all the celebrations that go along with this day. The fact that this holiday is near the middle of summer means that the weather is usually pretty nice.
I’m trying to think of the causes of the American Revolution. Taxes was one of the main causes. England also would not allow the colonies to make a lot of their own goods. Then there was the impressment of sailors and the garrisoning of British troops in households. England was repressive and took advantage of the people in the colonies, so it was little wonder they broke away and started their own country.
America today is probably nothing like the founding fathers would have envisioned. They had no idea how technology would advance in the two hundred years or so since the Revolution. It’s hard to imagine life without automobiles and televisions and computers, but these things were not even thought of back in those days. In many ways technology has made us more free, but in some ways it has enslaved us. Look at all the people who buy useless products just because they see them advertised on TV.
It would be nice if the whole world could celebrate the Fourth of July. Maybe if the whole world had a holiday where they barbecued and set off pyrotechnics they would be happier. I know the countries of the world all have their own unique holidays, but it might be nice if they all fell on the same day so that people could have something in common to celebrate. Maybe governments should look at how people live their lives and realize that oppressing the people will only lead to violence.
