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As we move through this weekend full of fireworks, parades, food and the battle over political ideologies, let's not forget what July 4 means.
It was 250 years ago that a group of men representing the 13 American colonies agreed to declare their independence from the British Empire.
On July 2, 1776, members of the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, with the finalized draft of the Declaration of Independence adopted (not signed) two days later.
It was never an easy decision.
Members of the Continental Congress did not go to Philadelphia with the goal of issuing such a declaration.
Britain began levying new taxes on the colonies in 1763 to recoup expenses from the French and Indian War. This included the Sugar Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act of 1765. The Townshend Acts of 1767 attempted to suspend assemblies of colonial residents who did not cooperate with the taxes.
The Boston Massacre occurred in 1770, followed by the Tea Act of 1773, which led to the Boston Tea Party.
Other laws were passed with the goal of punishing colonists, Massachusetts in particular, such as the Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act and the Quartering Act.
Calls for independence fully began in March 1775 with Patrick Henry's call. One month later, the Battles of Lexington and Concord signaled the beginning of what we know as the American Revolution. The Battle of Bunker Hill (mostly fought on Breed's Hill) took place in June 1775, the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge in February 1776 and the Battle of Sullivan's Island in June 1776.
There were also efforts on the colonists' side, including the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in May 1775, the invasion of Canada from fall 1775 to spring 1776 and the siege of Boston from April 1775 to March 1776.
Yet even a few weeks before July 4, 1776, there were many, even in the Continental Congress, who still hoped for reconciliation with the Crown.
Those men gathered in Philadelphia did not necessarily get along with one another. In fact, most of the colonies were seldom united on major matters at that time, with different concerns, currencies and economies. Eventually, they agreed to come together on a path they felt was in the best interest of all people.
They were able to put their differences aside for the goal of independence, followed by another seven years of battles during which time they were closer to losing than a lot of people today probably realize.
There are many challenges today for this nation, just as there were 250 years ago for the colonies.
It would be nice if those we elect to lead us actually looked for ways to truly serve the common good of the nation instead of promoting the desires of their political parties or those they wish to keep in power. I wish, as we celebrate the beginning of the United States of America, that there was more being done to unite us than divide us.
Even then, we were a people of various cultures and backgrounds. The land which made up the colonies included Indigenous people who called it home for hundreds of years, as well as the descendants of English Pilgrims and other British settlers who followed (English, Welsh, Scottish, Scots-Irish), Dutch explorers, Germans and African Americans brought to the colonies as enslaved people. There were even some Swedish populations. Outside of the colonies, land had been conquered and settled by the Spanish and French. We now know the Norse had visited the area hundreds of years earlier and likely had some influence as well.
Elements of each, and of many others in the years since, have been incorporated into making this nation what it is. We are a nation of many parts coming together as one, of rebelling and fighting for the common good, of hard work and of celebrating those who have come before.
That is our heritage.
It's not about political parties. It's not about showing which "side" is better. We stand here as the United States of America because 250 years ago our leaders decided it was in the best interest of the people to make a sacrifice and work together for freedom, establishing a new nation, a grand experiment that could be a beacon to others.
As we gather in our communities this weekend, we should ask ourselves whether we are doing everything we can to live up to their example.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is a member of the news staff of The Weirton Daily Times. He can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com
or followed on X @CHowellWDT)