Independence Day

Am I the only person who is bothered by the fact that everyone uses the term "the 4th of July" instead of "Independence Day?"

Why does it bother me? Because by not using the actual name of the holiday, the holiday loses meaning.

Ask random strangers on the street what is celebrated on the 4th of July and a good percentage of them will not know.

When you ask what is celebrated on Independence Day most people will answer correctly--even if it is just because the name leads them to guess it.

On July 3rd 1776 John Adams wrote the following to his wife:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival... It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

(John's letter mentions the 2nd of July because that is the day of the vital vote. However Congress didn't make it official until the Declaration of Independence was signed on the 4th.)

If our founding fathers expected us to celebrate with "illuminations" (meaning fireworks) then why are there SO many restrictions on the sale of fireworks?

I can see an age restriction but here in what I term the People's Republic of Pennsylvania, the laws are outrageously strict. Simplified: residents cannot buy any firework product that leaves the ground or goes "boom."

These laws were on the books long before 9/11.

Don't you find it ironic that the holiday where we are supposed to celebrate our INDEPENDENCE is regulated by numerous laws as to how we observe it.

But then we lost our Republic a long time ago {sigh}