Monday, July 04, 2022

Celebrating Independence Day!

On the Fourth of July

Fireworks in the neighborhood park last year.

I have heard people say that the recent attacks on American democracy and human values make it hard for them to celebrate the Fourth of July this year. I still have confidence that our country and our democracy will survive, and that voters will enable responsible members of our national leadership to find a way to save us from the fanatics. Here is a quote from a Washington Post article that supports this message: 

For those on the progressive side who feel they are on the losing end of today’s conflicts, our national birthday this year can be an occasion to remember those who came before them and never gave up on Martin Luther King’s vision of bending the arc of our story toward justice.

“One can be a critic of one’s country,” the great social thinker Daniel Bell wrote, “without being an enemy of its promise.” On this July Fourth, that promise is still worth celebrating — and fighting for. (source) 
 
Our celebration will be in the afternoon of the Fourth -- I'll try to post some photos after it happens. Meanwhile, to all who celebrate, have a Glorious Time.

July 4, 2009: A drink from Dairy Queen.

Looking at History:
How the French Helped the New United States

The Marquis de Lafayette.
This portrait hangs in Blair House, where
visitors to the President of the United States
are currently housed. (source)
The American War of Independence, also called the American Revolution, lasted from 1775-1783. The Declaration of Independence is dated July 4, 1776, and is the key date for the war in our collective memory. The war itself was bloody and costly in material goods, in lives, and in the emotions of the emerging nation. George Washington, as everyone knows, led the war effort, and then became the first President of the newly formed republic.

A young nobleman from France, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette (1757–1834), volunteered in 1777 to assist the independence effort. His support included political action in gaining French help for the war, providing the American fighters with both arms and funds. Further, Lafayette, who was a trained military expert and a General in the French Army gave Washington hands-on leadership, helping him to form an effective fighting force from the untrained volunteers for the war.

In 1824-1825, Lafayette returned to the United States where he was received as the great hero that he definitely was. Many towns, streets, and monuments were named for him.


Statue of Washington and Lafayette by August Bartholdi, Paris. (source)

I'm including this history of Lafayette to connect the July 4th holiday to this month's Paris in July blog event here. And also sharing with Elizabeth's blog here.
Blog post © 2022 mae sander.


23 comments:

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I really wish I could share your optimism, Mae. I think that the requiem for America is now being composed, with the Supreme Court contributing many of the notes. Having said that, Happy Fourth of July! David

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Your post reminds me that it really only takes one person stepping up to change things. Instead of bemoaning the negative elements in our country, I'm going to celebrate the Liz Cheneys who dared to do the right thing.

My name is Erika. said...

Interesting post Mae. And I hope you are right, but I don't really feel that hopeful this year. hugs-Erika

Divers and Sundry said...

I appreciate your words of encouragement and wish I could share in your optimism, but the judges in the courts from SCOTUS on down are depressing me. I won't live to see any meaningful changes there, since many of these judges are young and in positions for life.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I wish I felt as optimistic as you, Mae. Sadly, I feel betrayed by SIX people who want to control my life, my body, and the very air I breathe. I DO hope these injustices by the Justices have sparked enough dissent to get people off their duffs and get them to the polls, both in the primaries and the general election in November.

Thanks, also for sharing the drink from that cutie. It is a great way to celebrate T this Tuesday, too.

eileeninmd said...

Happy Independence Day! Beautiful capture of the fireworks. Great statue of Washington and Lafayette. I would like a dairy queen mixed cone right now, lol. Take care, have a great new week!

Emma at Words And Peace / France Book Tours said...

Neat on La Fayette!

Tamara said...

Fascinating about Lafayette and American history - I always wondered about the streets and statues for Lafayette I've seen in America.

Iris Flavia said...

Being optimistic is important. Wish I had faith in German politics and politicians, but lost that long ago (I still do vote, of course!).

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

America seems on the brink of another civil war as liberties and freedom are being taken away. And another tragic shooting won't help people feel like celebrating.

nwilliams6 said...

I am with you on feeling positive - no other way to feel as none of us know what will happen. History changes back and forth. The fathers of the revolution went against all odds. Loved reading about Lafayette - a true friend to our nation and probably helped turn decisions later when France needed our help. Lovely post and fun drink picture from the past. Happy T-day. Hugz

nwilliams6 said...

Mae, I think I typed your name wrong in my previous post - please forgive me!

Sherry's Pickings said...

happy 4th Mae! hope you had a good one. chin up! things can surely only get better eventually?

My name is Erika. said...

I hope you had a great T day Mae. And thanks again for this interesting article. hugs-Erika

CJ Kennedy said...

Uplifting post. Let's hope you are right.

jinxxxygirl said...

Very uplifting Mae and i thank you for you voice of reason.. I'm 55 years old and for the first time in the last several years i feel the U.S. disintegrating around me.. Happy T day!Hugs!deb

Lisca said...

I do hope you are wrong. I don't know about American politics. I don't have tv and I only read articles from what I regard as good newspapers (I like The Guardian). I believe everywhere people are a bit pessimistic, because things are not going well all over the world. But I think people should stay optimistic otherwise we'll never get out of this impasse.
That gorgeous smile of the girl with the drink (I assume a grandchild) is a good start.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca

Carola Bartz said...

Mae, I do appreciate your words of reason and I read that article in the Washington Post as well, but I do have a hard time sharing your optimism. I'm usually a very optimistic person, but over the past couple weeks so much has been destroyed that will be very difficult to restore again and we will probably not see it in our lifetime. I really hope those little girls in your photo will have a brighter future than it currently looks like.

pearshapedcrafting said...

An interesting post - I'm sure we don't see a true picture from news items here. Happy T Day, Chrisx

Sharon Madson said...

I love this country (U.S.) and am thankful, that this is where I am! Happy T Day!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I feel like the world is looking on at America and hoping we can make our way through the mess that DT provoked. I waver; one day I am optimistic, while the next day I feel no hope that things will be resolved.

Jeanie said...

A wonderfully interesting and timely post (more timely than my reading of it!) I so appreciate your research -- I know these take a good deal of time.

Empire of the Cat said...

Interesting post this week. Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx