Why You Should Never Celebrate The 4th Of July
Celebrating the 4th of July is a time-honored tradition in America. The holiday marks the country’s independence from British rule in 1776 and is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and barbecues.
Every year on this day, millions of Americans get together with their friends and family, fire up the grill, crack open some beers, and generally have a good time. Sounds like a lot of fun, right?
Well, perhaps. But while celebrating Independence Day is certainly a patriotic thing to do, there are actually a few good reasons why you might want to think twice before doing so. In this article, we’ll discuss some of them.
10 reasons why you shouldn’t celebrate the 4th of July
1. The date is incorrect
The Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed on July 4th, 1776. It wasn’t even signed by all of the delegates to the Continental Congress until August 2nd.
So why do we celebrate on the 4th? Because that’s when Congress voted to approve the final text of the Declaration, but the actual signing took place later.
Thus, if you’re going to celebrate America’s independence, you might want to do it on August 2nd instead.
2. It’s a holiday created by the government to celebrate itself
The 4th of July is a federal holiday, which means that it’s a holiday created by the government to celebrate the forming of itself.
Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. But it does mean that the holiday is more about government than it is about the people.
Many Americans are quite critical of their government and the things it does. So if you’re someone who generally doesn’t like the government, celebrating the 4th of July might not be for you.
3. It’s a holiday that celebrates violence
The 4th of July celebrates the American Revolution, a war in which many people were killed.
Now, it’s certainly possible to celebrate the holiday without glorifying the violence that took place, but at its core, the 4th of July is a holiday that commemorates a time of war and suffering.
4. Not everyone was free at the time of the American Revolution
While the American Revolution did eventually lead to freedom for all Americans, that wasn’t the case when the Declaration was signed.
Slavery was still legal in all 13 colonies during the Revolutionary War. In fact, it would be another 86 years before slavery was finally abolished in the United States.
So if you’re celebrating the 4th of July, keep in mind that not everyone was free at the time of America’s independence.
5. The holiday has become commercialized
The 4th of July has become a highly commercialized holiday. Every year, companies roll out patriotic-themed products and advertisements in an attempt to cash in on the holiday.
Some people find this to be tacky and offensive. Others simply don’t like the idea of companies trying to profit off of patriotic feelings.
6. It’s a holiday that celebrates the military
The 4th of July is often seen as a holiday that celebrates the American military. This is in part due to the fact that many patriotic displays and celebrations involve the military, such as flyovers and parades.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating the military. But some people feel that the 4th of July is more about glorifying war and violence than it is about celebrating America’s freedoms.
7. It’s offensive to the indigenous people of America
The 4th of July is a holiday that celebrates the founding of the United States by European colonists. But for the indigenous people of America, the holiday is a reminder of the violence and genocide that was inflicted upon them by those early European settlers.
Thus, it’s not a holiday that everyone can celebrate. If you’re indigenous to America, or if you have indigenous ancestors, the 4th of July might be a painful reminder of the atrocities that were committed against your people.
8. It’s the most dangerous day of the year in the US
According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 4th of July is the deadliest day of the year to be on the road in the United States.
This is likely due to the fact that there are more drunk drivers on the road on the 4th of July than on any other day of the year.
Another study found that the 4th of July is also the most common day for fireworks-related injuries and deaths. So even if you don’t celebrate the day yourself, you’re still in danger if you’re out and about on the holiday.
9. Some might see it as anti-immigrant
Though this is likely not the intention of most people who celebrate the 4th of July, some immigrants might see the holiday as being anti-immigrant.
This is because the holiday celebrates America’s independence from Britain, an event that led to the mass deportation of British colonists from America.
So if you celebrate this holiday, some immigrants might think you have anti-immigration sentiments.
10. It’s a reminder of America’s dark history
The 4th of July is a reminder of some of the darker aspects of America’s history, such as slavery, genocide, and colonialism.
For some people, this is reason enough to avoid celebrating the holiday. Others believe that acknowledgment of these dark parts of American history is necessary to move forward and create a more just and equitable society.
Where you stand on this issue is up to you. But it’s something to consider before deciding whether or not to celebrate the 4th of July.
Conclusion
While we understand that many people enjoy celebrating the Fourth of July, you’d be well within your rights to choose not to participate. From its commercialization to its ties to America’s dark past, there are plenty of reasons why this particular public holiday is one that you might want to skip.
Whatever your reasons may be for skipping it, know that you’re not alone in your decision not to celebrate. There are plenty of people who feel the same way!