Happy Independence Day!!!

[Juliana Maria]

Happy Independence Day everyone! To think, on this day in 1776.. Our Nation unanimously declared our independence marking one of the first steps in what would become a trying fight toward freedom. Our forefathers laid down their lives so that we may live as free men and women in the country we call home today. May we never forget the sacrifices that were made on our behalf.*

"Our own Country's Honor, all call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world. Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble Actions -- The Eyes of all our Countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their blessings, and praises, if happily we are the instruments of saving them from the Tyranny mediated against them. Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world, that a free man contending for Liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth."
-George Washington, 1776

May you all have a fun and safe holiday! And may we all celebrate as John Adams would have wanted:

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the greatest anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade with shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of the Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." -Letter of John Adams to Abigail Adams, Philadelphia July 3d. 1776