Even though Independence Day wasn’t celebrated in America until after the War of 1812, it remains the single most important holiday in American history.  On July 4th, 1776, the United States claimed their Independence from England.  Foreign laws and powers would govern America no longer!  The country’s first great leaders established their own democracy, a government by the people for the people.  The concept of social equality and individual rights was in place.  Once this happened, it didn’t take long for the rest of the world to take notice and soon stories of the ‘American Dream’ were spread across foreign lands. 
The document that gave immigrants these rights after gaining access to the Unites States was the Declaration of Independence.  This government declaration was established to insure and secure rights of individuals to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  It also gave American citizens the right to alter or abolish their government and replace it, were it to become destructive, with one that insures their safety and happiness.  What this document was to the rights of the American people, so was the Constitution to the legal framework of the United States.  Established on September 17th, 1787, the Constitution, established justice, insured domestic tranquility, provided for the common defense, promoted general welfare, and secured the Blessings of Liberty to everyone and their posterity.  These two documents together were the foundation of our nation.
It’s important to learn the history of your country.  We must not forget the hardships those who came before us experienced in order to gain the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.  So this weekend and tomorrow you should raise a flag, have a picnic, gather with friends and family, and when you hear the sound of fireworks as they light up the July night sky… remember your freedoms today are because of the men and women who were willing to give their lives in order for you to be free, great men and women of conviction that risked a great deal in the formative years of our nation, and a God that gives guidance and has watched over the United States all these many years.