By Alex Berger
Some people wave the American flag, but waive what it stands for.
If America is filled with amber waves of grain, how come cereal costs so much?
We just commemorated the birth 225 years ago of our nation, conceived as a refuge from European monarchies and brought into the world by war.
To give a historical overview of the origin of the Fourth, we must go back to 1607 when the English settlers landed in Jamestown, Virginia. Little did they know then that many other peoples from many other lands would follow them to the country of future malls, McDonald's, and a 24-hour Cartoon Network.
Some historians say the ensuing waves of immigrants came here because they wanted a better life. Others declare they followed because they wanted to worship God in their own way. And others report they followed because they wanted to acquire land. But I say all the followers followed for the following: they wanted to be “Americans.”
Eventually, with the influx of the new Americans, 13 separate colonies arose, but the King of England ruled them all. As time went on, the colonists wanted a greater voice in their affairs. They did not want to pay the heavy taxes levied by the king, whom they liked to call “Mad George.”
Ha! Who among them would ever dream that many years later, America would be known as the land of opportunity, where every hard-working citizen has the ability to earn just enough money to owe so much on a maxed-out credit card. Be that as it may, Georgie Boy's heavy taxation spelled trouble (much different from today, when our President George is giving back a little of our tax money).
Finally, on April 19, 1775, a battle between American patriots and British soldiers broke out. At first, it appeared to be a mismatch between the factions and everyone thought it would be over and soon forgotten.
That was not to be. At the outset, the Americans fought hard simply to defend their rights. But before long, they wanted full independence. They were determined and fought harder, and the Revolutionary war was ignited.
On July 2, 1776, a Resolution of Independence was adopted. Two days later, on July 4, a revised resolution was approved, and on Aug. 2, the finalized Declaration was signed. Some purists say it would be more fitting to have our national holiday on the 2nd of July – the day the Resolution for Independence was first declared and adopted. It was, they argue, the first legal act leading to independence from the British crown – a very vital and momentous undertaking.
But we are fortunate that the 4th of July was the day chosen. Imagine how George M. Cohan's famous song would sound if the lyrics were changed to “born on the SECOND of July”?
The Declaration clearly spelled out that the people had the right to be free. And all 13 American colonies united to fight the British for that freedom. The war lasted eight years. Finally, in 1783, peace came. The scrappy colonists had won their freedom.
So, on every succeeding 4th of July, their gallant fight for freedom is remembered by modern compatriots.
May America have many more years in peace and prosperity.
(Postscript – I came across this passage recited by my 7-year old grandson: “I pledge allegiance to the frog, and to the republic for witch's hands; one nation in the vestibule with Lee's tea and just rice for all.”)
Reach columnist Alex Berger by e-mail at TimesLedger.com or call 229-300, Ext. 139.
