Independence Day is upon us. A day we celebrate the “birth” of our country and its founding principles, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, what does this mean? Obviously we all know the story of how the Founding Fathers risked life and limb to pen the Declaration of Independence and then went to war to ensure its success. But that was hundreds of years ago. How does that affect our lives now?

We often joke about what is inherently “American”, beer, baseball, hot dogs, but Americans are much more. Americans are resilient and diverse. We are passionate in our beliefs, and strong in our convictions. We are proud of our heritage, and we honor our past. We work hard and play harder. America as a whole has made many mistakes, no country has done it perfectly, but we constantly try, and are stronger when, we stay true to our principles.

This year has been especially difficult for us. Between terror attacks, mass shootings, and political ugliness, it can be easy to think of America as faltering. But in these times we must remember our roots. When downtrodden and abused we fought for autonomy. We created our own way of life and defended it.

The Fourth of July is much more than a day off work, a day to barbeque, a day to laze by the pool. The Fourth is the day to remember the sacrifices our Founding Generation made to create this country of which we are so proud to be a part. It is a day to think back on what made America, and what still makes America great. We are an ever-evolving people, and America is a living entity, capable of change and improvement.

Today, be proud to be an American. Not all people have the rights we enjoy, rights that we sometimes take for granted. On this day, remind yourself why America is important to you. Put aside the vitriol, and re-immerse yourself in our country’s own colorful history.

Curcio Law wishes all of you a happy and safe Independence Day.