It’s the 4th of July, and I’m guessing my readers realize this is a big old patriotic holiday here in the United States. However, it’s come to my attention recently that there may be a lot of Americans who don’t actually know what happened on this date 249 years ago, so let me wake you all up. July 4th, 1776, is the date representatives of the American Colonists (who, for better or worse, are now known as “The Founding Fathers”) wrote a letter to the British saying, Hey, King George, we don’t want to be part of Great Britain anymore. And by the way, we’re willing to fight a war to make this stick, so best you back off.
But of course the British didn’t back off–at least not at first. They did eventually surrender however, and now–249 years later–they’re kind of our best friend. But that’s another story. The important thing is July 4th is Our Birthday! It’s when this land stopped being colonies of Great Britain, and became the United States of America. It’s the date the Declaration of Independence was written. If you’re ever pressed to take a citizenship test, best to remember that.
You might have noticed that this has been a very weird year here. I’d like to say something healing or hopeful or even inspiring, but it’s already hot and I’m tired and whiny. One thing I do when I get tired and whiny is I listen to music, preferably music I can sing along to. I particularly like the early Beatles and The Beach Boys, and oh, yeah, some Motown girl groups are great for this. But today we need hopeful, healing, and inspiring, so allow me to post a few favorites from YouTube. We need this right now.
This first one is Holly Near at a rally for bodily autonomy singing a song she wrote when Harvey Milk was assassinated.
You’ll love this video of Arlo Guthrie leading the crowd at Farm Aid in his father’s most famous song. He’s joined by a few dozen celebrity icons, like Kris Kristofferson and Wilie Nelson, but Sacramento natives and GenX Reading Rainbow fans will spot LeVar Burton in the crowd too.
This next one is a Crosby Stills and Nash favorite. It has an animated video to go with it, and it will break your heart. Highly recommended.
Here’s an old favorite of mine.
Finally here’s Whitney Houston singing our National Anthem–a cappella no less. It’s beautiful, and it makes me want to admit that I love our national anthem. Yes, it seems only the most gifted, highly trained singers may do it justice, but it’s ours, you know. I still get a little misty when we sing the line about how the flag was still visible even after a night of battle, still flying over the fort. Anyway, this is my way of saying, it’s still OUR flag, and OUR country. Don’t give up on us.
Hang in there. Have a nice holiday. Enjoy the three day weekend.
Dream big. Fight hard.
Photo by Rodrigo de Mendoza on Unsplash
Nancy, thank you for sharing this upbeat and inspiring story! Hope is so essential these days.
Thanks, Dick!