Dr. Jim Surrell, Journal columnist

In less than two weeks, we will celebrate the Fourth of July throughout the U.S. and this clearly is my favorite time of our wonderful Upper Peninsula summers. We all have the opportunity to celebrate our great country with numerous local parades and spectacular fireworks displays after sunset. So, as we enjoy this great time of summer, let’s be sure to also remember our members of the military service who serve us today and all those who have served us in the past.

If you have the opportunity to do so, please be sure to give a big “Thank You” to any past or present member of our United Sates military with whom you may have contact. Let us never forget how much we all owe to each and every person who has served this great nation to preserve our very precious freedom, with liberty and justice for all.

Of course, we are all reminded of this in the brief very special wording found in our United States Pledge of Allegiance. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

In June of 1776, the representatives from the 13 colonies that made up the Continental Congress resolved that it was now time to declare our independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, these brave representatives voted to officially declare our independence.

Thomas Jefferson then prepared the magnificent document that we know today as our Declaration of Independence. This incredible historic document was then officially adopted by the leaders of our great nation on July 4, 1776.

From this date in 1776 until the present time, the Fourth of July has been celebrated as the birth date of our American independence, and that is why it remains so special to this day. Historically, July 4th was also unofficially celebrated during the late 1700s and the 1800s as our citizens recalled the struggles of the American Revolutionary War that took place from 1775 to 1783.

So, when did the Fourth of July officially become this great summer celebration of these United States? Let’s now take a look at some brief historical facts.

The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, has been an official U.S. federal holiday for many years. In 1870, the United States Congress made July 4th a federal holiday. In 1941, it was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees. Over these many years, our celebration of the Fourth of July has remained an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism for our great nation.

Following are some rather profound Fourth of July coincidences. Two of our greatest leaders, John Adams, our second President, and Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, both passed away on the very same day.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826, and this was exactly on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. James Monroe, our fifth President, also died on the Fourth of July 4, five years later, in 1831. Only one of our U.S. presidents was born on July 4th. Calvin Coolidge, our 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872.

So, get out there and enjoy our great Upper Peninsula during this wonderful time that we celebrate the birth of our nation.

Also, please take a moment to reflect on how much we owe to the founders of this great nation and also to our current and former members of all branches of our United States military.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of “The ABC’s For Success In All We Do” and the “SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet” books.Contact Dr. Surrell by email at sosdietdoc@gmail.com.