This Friday is the Fourth of July—one of my very favorite and most memorable holidays of the year. July 4, 2025, officially marks America’s 249th birthday. It was on July 4, 1776, that Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence (though history shows that the document was actually voted on and signed by the Second Continental Congress on July 2, 1776).
As I said above, the Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays because of what it stands for. When I was a teenager in junior high school, I vividly remember the celebration of America’s Bicentennial on July 4, 1976. I remember the months and months of historical celebration and patriotic promotion leading up to that incredible moment.
I also clearly remember what our family did on that very day. We attended a celebration on the Shreveport riverfront that evening—a celebration very similar to the riverfront events that have taken place in recent years. It’s hard to believe that was 49 years ago. Time flies.
A few years later, I also remember my dad bringing home two Susan B. Anthony silver dollars, which were first minted in 1979 by the U.S. Mint. In fact, I still have them somewhere. The coins were only minted in 1979, 1980, 1981, and again in 1999. One day soon, I need to find them—they may be worth something.
If you have a flag to fly this Fourth of July, I hope you’ll display it proudly. If you’re able to attend church around the holiday, I hope your church celebrates patriotism both in message and in song. Most importantly, I hope we give thanks to God for the many freedoms we enjoy in this country. America is truly a blessed nation. We should offer constant thanks and praise to God for the greatness He has bestowed upon us. We are mighty, and we are free.
Of course, not all nations can say the same. And sometimes, I do worry about the erosion of our freedoms here at home. In many ways, it feels like some of our rights and privileges are slipping away right before our eyes. As U.S. citizens, we are guaranteed certain freedoms by our Constitution—especially those outlined in the Bill of Rights.
To call our Constitution a “work in progress” or to imply that our rights can be taken away depending on a particular political leader’s philosophy is a dangerous departure from the vision of our Founding Fathers. That kind of thinking echoes the tyranny our founders sought to escape when they formed this great nation.
We are the United States of America. We are proud. We are mighty. And we are free.
I hope you and your families have a very happy, safe, and fun Fourth of July. Most importantly, let’s come together to celebrate what makes our country great.
Randy Brown is Executive Vice President of Specht Newspapers, Inc., and publisher of the Minden Press-Herald.