This Thursday, July 4^th, celebrations will take place throughout the United States. We will celebrate our independence through family gatherings, barbecues, and of course fireworks. Have you ever wondered though what July 4^th truly means and what it stands for? Living so close to Philadelphia, Independence Day seems more significant to those of us in Bucks County. All of us live close to the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, which was written in 1776 – right in Philadelphia!

It’s interesting to discover the significance of July 4^th for many people. Here are some quotes from those who founded our country as well as recent presidents, describing what the holiday means to them:

“All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope”. ~Winston Churchill

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country” ~ Benjamin Franklin

“We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our only commitment to others. ” ~ John F Kennedy

"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved." ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

This Independence Day, take the time to think about the true meaning of the holiday – the independence and freedom of our nation. I hope you have a safe and happy 4^th of July!