Michelle Boley

As we step into the month of July, a time of warmth, celebration, and new opportunities, July 4th is a special time to celebrate freedom, community, and the spirit of independence—values that inspire my commitment to protecting what matters most to you and your loved ones.

The 4th of July, also known as Independence Day in the United States, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This day marks the formal separation of the thirteen American colonies from British rule.

Here’s a brief history:

• Background: Leading up to 1776, tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain had been escalating due to issues like taxation without representation, British military presence, and restrictive trade policies.

• Continental Congress: Representatives from the thirteen colonies convened in the Continental Congress to discuss their grievances and the possibility of independence.

• Declaration of Independence: On July 2, 1776, the Congress voted in favor of independence. Two days later, on July 4, the final version of the Declaration of Independence, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, was formally adopted.

• Significance: The Declaration announced that the colonies considered themselves free and independent states, no longer under British rule. It articulated fundamental principles about individual rights.

• Celebrations: The 4th of July quickly became a day of patriotic celebration, marked by fireworks, parades, speeches, and other festivities. It remains a national holiday in the U.S., symbolizing freedom and national pride.