Two hundred and twenty five years ago, a group of men representing the citizens of the United States of America decided to sign a document that declared them independent of British rule. Having no prior knowledge of how to govern a country – the citizens of the nation I live in today decided to secede from the country that governs them – and begin a new country on their own two hundred and twenty five years ago today.

In this document – that later became the piece of paper that built the most powerful nation in the world – the authors concluded their desire for independence with the following:

“We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved.”

In signing that document, that group of men – now known as the Founding Fathers of our country – established a new country that would give it’s citizens, “Certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Two hundred and twenty five years later – America is the most powerful nation in the world – with the strongest economy, the nation with the largest immigration rate – and the home of the United Nations – the headquarters of the world’s governments.

The worst part is – until today – I never appreciated the evolution of this country – and the importance of this National Holiday.

All of my life, the 4th of July meant a day off from work, a day of fireworks – or a day of good barbecue – and I think it’s fair to say that most of the country feels the same way. Businesses celebrate the holiday with a “Fourth Of July Sale”, citizens celebrate with a keg and a barbecue – and the government and most private employees celebrate with a day off.

What I realized this afternoon was that if not for those brave men who decided to separate from their governing body and strike out on their own with no prior experience in leading a country – the owners of the businesses would not have their business. The citizens of this country would not have a day to celebrate – and their would be no national holiday – because we would still be under British rule.

I think America’s citizens have come to see most national holidays as an excuse for a day off. But I think that if there is any national holiday that we should remember, appreciate – and acknowledge – it is the one that took place two hundred and twenty five years ago today, when our Founding Fathers transcribed the following:

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” The funny thing is, that a few hours ago, Malia and Ean’s daughter Christian decided to bring me the dictionary and show me the definition of the Declaration of Independence, after asking me if I knew the name of the document that made this country free.

Maybe this country’s future – and the memory of it’s past – is in good hands after all.

Happy Independence Day.