Independence Day 2025
On the fourth of July, Americans celebrate their proudest national holiday, Independence Day.
Independence Day commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on 4 July 1776. It marks the end of British rule over the colonies and the establishment of the United States of America, a watershed moment in world history.
But how united are the United States this Independence Day? For global onlookers, America seems on the brink of another civil war as protestors clash with authorities over the mass deportation of illegal immigrants. Some could argue we are witnessing the end of the great American experiment. On the other hand, it might be seen as democracy in action, the will of the people taking full effect.
Simultaneously, America has involved itself yet again in the Middle East conflict, launching airstrikes against nuclear facilities in Iran. It’s difficult to ascertain how effective these strikes were in disabling Iran’s nuclear capacity, but an uneasy ceasefire was called in the days after, and reports indicate considerations of its proposals are underway on both sides. But that hasn’t appeased pro-Palestinian activists who continue to rally against Israeli occupation of Gaza.
Local politics have also come under scrutiny. Conservative commentators were sent into a spin with the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City. A Democratic representative of Queens, Mamdani is described as a socialist, advocating Marxist ideals that threaten to erode the bedrock of American freedom. His election to the position has caused concern for many, including Democrat party colleagues. There are fears his term as mayor will further alienate liberal voters, pushing them to the Republicans
With rising political tensions, something is surely to break under the strain. America is a nation built on revolution and emboldened by the ideal that no one should be subjugated by their government. That’s why the Second Amendment – the right to bear arms – exists, allowing people to protect themselves from a tyrannical government, a cornerstone of American belief.
America has always been a house divided against itself. Bipartisan politics, which George Washington warned against, has pulled the country apart. Yet, paradoxically, it’s also what has kept it together. The divisive interplay between Democrats and Republicans, driven by an ingrained right to free speech, is what keeps democracy alive in the United States.
This Independence Day, Americans have plenty to celebrate. If not the glory of their colonial past, then the sheer fact they have the constitutional right to question their government, a rare liberty often taken for granted. Happy Independence Day to all Americans, however you choose to celebrate.
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