This Fourth of July, July 4th or Independence Day, whatever you may call it, should be a joyous one for all Americans. The mention of the Fourth of July evokes visions of firework shows, picnics and barbecues, hot dogs, hamburgers and apple pie.

Why? Because we are Americans, and Americans love to celebrate our independence.

When my children were little, every year I would ask them who we won our independence from. They would answer with almost every country in the book except Great Britan. After a few years went by, I knew they were aware of the answer, but I still kept getting replies like France and Scotland. They were being a little cheeky with their mother, but one fine year I received the correct answer.

As Americans, we should all know from whom we won our independence, and what that victory meant for the Founding Fathers and their fledgling country. No longer under British rule, we Americans were free to exercise our governmental, societal, and religious rights, without fear. We could no longer be told what to do, but we had the express authority to make decisions on our own.

Since 1776, we have had these rights. We have made decisions, good and bad, but we have made them as Americans. The United States is considered one of the greatest nations in the world, and it all started with that dream of freedom so long ago. People from all nations have flocked to America for a taste of that dream; to be free, to have a better life and a more prosperous life.

We owe it to our Founding Fathers, those men who gave their lives in the Revolutionary War and the leaders during the early years, to celebrate, to remember what they have accomplished. I am sure the Founding Fathers did not celebrate the way we do, but I am sure they celebrated.

So pop those fireworks, enjoy that barbecue, grill up the hamburgers and hot dogs and even have that apple pie if you want, because we are Americans and we should be proud of who were are.