Celebrating Independence Day in 2024: Honoring Our Founders’ Courage and Vision
This upcoming July 4th, we celebrate the profound significance this day holds in the history of our nation. Tomorrow, we celebrate not just our country’s independence, but also the remarkable courage and foresight of our founders who dared to envision a free and self-governed nation.
On July 4th, in 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, a bold announcement of the American colonies’ separation from Great Britain. This famous historical document marks the birth of our nation’s Independence Day. The celebrations to follow were filled with joy and a newfound sense of liberty.
The Attorneys’ Influence
Among the 56 distinguished and courageous founders who signed the Declaration of Independence, 25 were lawyers. Their legal expertise and analytical minds played a crucial role in crafting the document’s powerful and persuasive language. The Declaration reads like a prosecutor’s opening statement, meticulously outlining the grievances against King George III:
“The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.”
The primary aim of the Declaration was to present a compelling case that the British monarchy and Parliament had violated their own laws, leaving the American colonists with no choice but to sever ties and “throw off” British rule.
Protection Against Monarchy and Federal Government
The Declaration of Independence laid the groundwork for the principles that would later be enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Less than a decade after the Declaration was penned to protect citizens from the tyranny of the British monarchy, the founders recognized the need to safeguard against potential tyranny from the newly formed federal government. This realization led to the drafting of the Constitution, which was signed in 1787.
The Preamble to the Constitution serves as the mission statement of the United States government. In a single, powerful sentence, it expresses the source of the Constitution’s authority and succinctly outlines its objectives:
“We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
The Constitution itself is structured around three key principles: federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. These principles were designed to create a government with enough power to function effectively at the national level, while simultaneously ensuring that individual freedoms and fundamental rights remained protected.
As we gather to celebrate Independence Day, let us reflect on the bravery, wisdom, and enduring legacy of our founders. Their vision for a free and just nation continues to inspire us as we uphold the values of democracy, liberty, and justice for all.
Enjoy the festivities, and may your Independence Day be filled with joy, gratitude, and a renewed appreciation for the freedoms we cherish. Happy Independence Day!
We here at the Herd Law Firm, PLLC, support every man, woman, and child (including civilians) exposed to toxic contaminations at Camp Lejeune, and believe you deserve quality and attentive legal representation. We are a Northwest Houston-based law firm, and are proud to be able to aid our veterans and their families in seeking restitution for their injuries at Camp Lejeune. We are honored to be a part of the BMBF law group entrusted by the VFW to handle these claims on behalf of veterans and their families who were stationed at Camp Lejeune. However, the internal deadline for us to make sure your claim is filed in time is July 16, 2024! Contact us at the Herd Law Firm at 713-955-3699 or at Charles.Herd@herdlawfirm.com. We would be pleased to speak with you about the full spectrum of options you have, and help you make an informed choice.
