A CELEBRATION AND SACRIFICE TO GOD.
One of our Founding Fathers, Presidents, and Signers of the Declaration of Independence - John Adams wanted Independence Day to be a festival of thanks to God for the formation of the nation.

Adams wrote to his wife Abigail: "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 commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty."

 He also wrote that we actually declared our Independence from Britain in Philadelphia on July 2! It was done and official on the 2nd. but some of the guys didn't sign till the 4th so the headlines picked up momentum two days later.

Here's an interesting if not strange fact: did you know that three of America's first five presidents died on July 4?

Bitter rivals John Adams, the second president, and Thomas Jefferson, the third, died hours apart on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration. Adams was 90 and passed away in Massachusetts and Jefferson was 83 and died in Virginia. The fifth president, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831.

 
All three men gave great sacrifice and devotion to give life and a strong foundation to this great nation.

What a significant day July 4th is - in more ways than one! It continues to serve as a day for us to stop and ponder what God has given us, and consider what our own "solemn acts of devotion to God" must be for the days ahead.

Happy Independence Day, America! (Thanks to Lance Wallnau)