6 Questions Answered About the 4th of July

Why do we celebrate the 4th of July? What does it mean? Well, this day is incredibly significant in American history, as it marks the day the United States officially became its own nation. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776—and thus, America was born. American citizens celebrate America’s birthday with festivals, parades, fireworks, barbecues, sparklers, and other festive activities.

Which country did we declare our independence from?America declared its independence from Great Britain. In order to fully understand the significance of Independence Day and what happened in 1776, we need to go back in history a bit. Before America was its own country, it comprised 13 colonies established by Great Britain. The first colony was settled in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. European countries, especially Great Britain, continued to colonize America throughout the 17th century and a good portion of the 18th century. By 1775, an estimated 2.5 million settlers lived in the 13 colonies: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

What led the colonists to seek independence? Tensions started brewing when Great Britain began passing legislation that gave it more control within the colonies, especially when it came to taxing the colonists.The Crown was in debt after the French and Indian War, so it started taxing the American colonies to increase revenue. The passage of legislation like the Stamp Act in March 1765, the Townshend Acts in June and July of 1767, and the Tea Act of 1773 forced colonists to pay more money to Great Britain—even though the colonies didn’t have a say in the Crown’s policies. This became known as taxation without representation and quickly became a heated pillar in the foundation of the American Revolution. Events such as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party further escalated tensions between British occupiers and American colonists. Those tensions exploded in April 1775 when the Battles of Lexington and Concord broke out in Massachusetts as British forces attempted to confiscate weapons from the colonists. It was the first time colonial militias battled British troops, and thus, the American Revolutionary War began.

What really happened on July 4, 1776? Fast-forward to a June 1776 Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia. Here, Virginia statesman Richard Henry Lee proposed a motion for the colonies to declare independence from Britain. A committee was formed to draft an official independence document, which became known as the Declaration of Independence. On July 2, 1776, Lee’s motion for independence was approved. Two days later, on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted—and America became a free nation. After declaring independence, America continued to fight in the Revolutionary War and officially defeated Great Britain in September 1783.

Where can you view fireworks in Carteret County along the Crystal Coast? Americans love to celebrate Independence Day with a bang and vacationers and residents along the Crystal Coast are no exception. The towns of Bogue, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, Emerald Isle and Peletier are presenting the inaugural Western Carteret Fireworks Celebration on Sunday, July 3, 2022. Events kick off at 6 p.m., with live entertainment by Spare Change at Mac Daddy’s off Hwy 58 and a variety of food trucks will be selling food and drinks: At 7:30 p.m., the National Anthem will be played, and the U.S. Marine Corps will conduct a military fly over. The National Anthem will once again be held at 8:55 p.m. leading up to the grand fireworks celebration at 9 p.m.

To view the fireworks, if you are traveling to Cape Carteret from all areas west of NC 58, park at Western Park, at 259 Old NC-58 in Cedar Point. For anyone coming from Bogue Banks, including Emerald Isle, you are asked to park in the Lowes Home Improvement Parking lot and at the Cape Carteret Town Hall and Cape Carteret Baptist Church. For those traveling from all areas east of Cape Carteret on Highway 24, such as from Bogue, Newport or Morehead City, please park at the White Oak Elementary School or at the Cape Carteret Aquatic & Wellness at 300 Taylor Notion Road.On Monday, the 4th of July Fireworks can be viewed in Beaufort at the Gallants Channel Event Space 293 W Beaufort Road Extension starting at 9PM. To learn more about events along the CRystal Coast throughout the year, go to my website, www.EmeraldIsleHomesforSaleNC.com and sign up for my blog. Ready to buy or sell? Call me at 919-308-2292. Explore the video tab for my weekly uploads to my YouTube channel. Subscribe to my YouTube channel and receive free donuts at my Flip Flops Donut shop. Text your email address to 919-308-2292 and subscribe to my newsletter. My book, "Live Where You Vacation" is available on Amazon.com.