September 3 brings a spirit of celebration like that of July 2 and 4.
The Treaty of Paris 1783, officially concluded the American Revolutionary War on September 3 of that year, by which Britain recognized the independence of the United States.
There is so much in these patriotic celebrations that reminds me of the significance of the people in the US experience.
Sure, there were important leaders who made their mark, but they took their places not necessarily on their own power, but because of the system in place by which the people acted. Their leadership is the result of the people exercising their power.
The people factor was the main idea in the address Chicago History Museum President Gary Johnson gave at the July 4 ceremony, in lieu of Museum Vice President Russel who passed away earlier in 2019.
Our system of government is not about acknowleding the sole authority of one person, but rather about people coming together. The seeds were sown years prior to the Declaration of Independence with documents like the Fundamental Orders, as Mr. Johnson noted, which was about people coming together collectively to govern. And so many other documents espoused the same principle leading up to the formation of the United States.
Even the Declaration itself uses language that speaks of collective action, like when the signers declare independence in the final paragraph, doing so on behalf of the people.
As we celebrate an important day in US history, let us behold what this country is, knowing that it is the result of what the people make of it. And we continue to make something of it, because our system is designed so that we are involved to make something of it.
These days are truly something for us to celebrate, because it is a reflection of us, the people of the United States.
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