|
|
|
| Sunday, 3 July 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
'Fourth of July' by Lionel Yodhasinghe
Patriotism and feeling for the rights of fellowmen have become the center of many discussions among ordinary American citizens today especially in the aftermath of September 11 attack and people tend to think of the country, sacrifice, leadership and politics more often than in the past as they feel that there is a daunting challenge before them in the current world. The day of independence of any country could be the appropriate occasion to bolster such spirits in the minds of people and Americans would use such spirits this year too probably in order to claim supreme democracy first in their soil and then in other parts of the world. Most Americans simply call the Independence Day of the United States as the "Fourth of July," the day the United States of America claimed independence from the British colonial rulers and democracy was born 229 years ago. Thereafter, July 4, 1776 is observed as the birthday of America as a free and independent nation. July 4 marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which announced freedom to 13 colonies from British rule. At that time, the people of the 13 British colonies along the Eastern coast of America were fighting a war against unjust treatment by the British rulers. The war began in 1775 and as it continued, the King in Britain realised that the people in these colonies were fighting for freedom from England's rule. The Declaration of Independence prepared by leaders from the colonies mentioned their just cause, freedom clearly, and for the first time in an official document the colonies were referred to as the United States of America. State of Virginia took the first step towards independence by voting to set up a committee to represent the colonies. This first Continental Congress met in September of 1774. They drew up a list of grievances against the crown, which became the first draft of a document that would formally separate the colonies from England. George Washington took command of the Continental Army and began fighting the British in Massachusetts. For the next eight years, colonists fought fervently in the Revolutionary War. Meantime, a war of words was being waged in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress presented and debated a second draft of the list of grievances, and president of the Second Continental Congress John Hancock was the first to sign the document. It was called the Declaration of Independence, was treasonous against the crown and 56 men who signed it were in danger of being executed. The Declaration of Independence was first read in Philadelphia. Freedom Day in United States is celebrated with all pomp and pageantry, parades and marching bands, patriotic speeches, and displays of fireworks. Many communities have concerts that conclude with "The Stars and Stripes forever," a patriotic march and salute to the American flag. Millions of US flags flutter in dignity from many buildings and homes throughout the country on July 4. Many Americans observe the Independence Day holiday and they go on picnics, arrange barbecues, or other outings with friends and family. Some of the towns display their patriotism in numerous forms and some larger cities are broadcast on television. Their foreign missions too join the celebration in different parts of the world on July 4 every year and the Embassy of USA in Colombo too celebrates freedom day of America tomorrow. The National anthem of any country is inseparable with its independence. So in the United States, every so often a movement is started to make "America the Beautiful" the national anthem instead of "The Star-Spangled Banner," largely because it was not written as a result of a war. The tune is easier to sing and the whole country is praised, not only the flag. Katherine Lee Bates, an English professor at Wellesley College, rode in a horse-drawn wagon up Pike's Peak, a mountaintop-in Colorado in 1893. She saw a view of the mountains that few people saw in those days and was inspired by her glimpse the "spacious skies" and "purple mountains" to write a poem, which became the first verse of the song. The public loved the poem, and Miss Bates was encouraged to set it to music She chose the music of a hymn by Samuel Ward. The words and music travelled around the world, and today Mexico, Canada and Australia sing it with their own countries' names instead of "America." |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
