Fourth of July
Written by: Kharis Ott
In his book, Celebrating The Fourth, Len Travers said, “Public rituals have always held a vital place in American Culture.” Would I have known that if Mr. Crenshaw hadn’t shown me that book? No, but I entirely agree with him. Since 1777, Americans have been celebrating the birth of our nation on the Fourth. Almost 100 years later, in 1870, it became a national holiday. A hallmark of summertime, the Fourth of July unites everyone who considers themselves an American citizen. What’s not to like about it?
For starters, fireworks. I love them, but there will always be a complaint in my household about the noise. In the weeks before and after the holiday, you will hear fireworks every single night. Dogs hate it. Also, there’s an inherent risk in drunk people handling explosives. Each year, almost ten thousand people nationwide get injured while handling fireworks.
Personally, I love the Fourth of July. When I was little, my neighborhood would organize a bike parade. At the very end of the course, we would eat hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream. As an eight-year-old decked out in stars and stripes, it was heavenly. Then, there are more recent memories, like flying up to Michigan to visit family. One year, my two older cousins, my brother, and I all went out on our pontoon and launched mini fireworks off the end. I can vividly remember the crazy Uncle Sam hat and themed glasses that my cousin, Brooke, wore. Maybe, my favorite memory might be from quarantine. In 2020, My family and I spent the Fourth lying on our neighbor's dock and watching the fireworks. We came home late, but my mom and I stayed up and watched “Hamilton” for the first time, a fitting musical for such a patriotic holiday.
This year, the Fourth of July means more to me. A lot of people in the United States of America are scared, divided, and outright cruel to one another. This holiday brings Americans together in such an extraordinary way. We have the opportunity to celebrate our history together. We can recognize our mistakes, and we cherish our accomplishments as the United States. This fourth of July, remember that we are all Americans, and we all want the best for the land of the free and the home of the brave. Lastly, don’t forget to have an incredible summer!
