Erma Bombeck once quipped: "You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4 not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness." Though the Fourth of July is almost iconic to Americans, some claim the date itself is somewhat arbitrary. New Englanders had been fighting Britain since April of 1775. The first motion in the Continental Congress for independence was in Philadelphia on June 8. After hard debate, the Congress secretly voted unanimously for independence.

After a committee was appointed, Thomas Jefferson worked for days, in absolute secret, to prepare a draft of a formal document. He penned these famous words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." On June 28, 1776, the committee met to read Jefferson's draft. They revised the document and declared their independence on July 2, 1776.

John Adams, who was credited by Thomas Jefferson as the unofficial whip of the independence-minded, wrote these words to his wife, Abigail, on July 3: The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

Adams was off, however, by two days. Although the vote on July 2 was the decisive act, the Declaration itself was dated July 4--which was the date it was officially adopted. Thus, our "Independence Day" was born.

The Declaration of Independence is a symbol of our country's independence and commitment to certain ideas. Our founding fathers wanted a document that spelled out what was important to our citizens. The Declaration of Independence spells out the goals for which Republicans and Democrats alike should be working. The signers of the Declaration risked being hanged for treason. Likewise, the leaders of our nation today should have the courage to stand up for what they know is right.

As you attend today's parades, baseball games, family barbeques and fireworks, I hope that you will take at least a moment to reflect on our nation's great heritage, teach your children and grandchildren the reason we celebrate this day, and share your feelings about our country.