As we approach one of National Holidays, July 4th, I find myself thinking of what the true meaning of Independence Day means me and the cost that was paid for our freedom. I have always loved our country. I remember the days when each morning before our school day began, we would all rise amp; place our hand over out heart and say The Pledge of Allegiance. nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;We celebrate the Fourth of July because its the day we received our Independence from England. True, however this is not the entire reason that we celebrate the Fourth of July, nor is it the reason that the Fourth of July holiday came about. nbsp;In the 18th century the United States was not considered the United States.nbsp; What we now call states werenbsp; called colonies. The United States was an extension of England.nbsp;Many peoplenbsp;traveled from Englandnbsp;via ships to settle in America,nbsp;however after a period of time,nbsp;differences began to develop which caused anbsp;split between Britain and America. At first, as the colonies were beingnbsp; settled, for the most part they were ale to nbsp;develop freely nbsp;but things changed in 1763. Britain decided that they needed to take more control over the colonies amp;nbsp;that the colonies needed to return revenue tonbsp;Britian.nbsp; The colonies didnt nbsp;agree with the new ruleles and felt that since they were not represented in Parliament that they shouldnrsquo;t have to pay any kinds of taxes to Britian. That is where the saying ldquo;no taxation without representationrdquo; came from.nbsp; As Britain continued to tax, the colonies formed the First Continental Congressnbsp;in an attempt to convincenbsp;the British government to recognize their rights. As well all know, this nbsp;didnrsquo;t worknbsp;amp; war was declared, which is known as the American Revolution. nbsp;These peoplenbsp;werenbsp;considered moderates amp; radicalsnbsp;and decided that enough was enough and that any kind of taxation without representation was considered tyranny. People such as John Adams, Samuel Adams, and Ben Franklin, as well as a group called the Sons of Liberty decided that it was time to unite all of the colonies and to stand together against Britain. During the course of the American Revolution a second Continental Congress was formed. It is this group that adopted the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was drafted by John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. After the first draft was written by Thomas Jefferson, it was revised by Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson before it was sent to Congress for approval. All thirteen colonies stood behind the Declaration of Independence and adopted it in full on July 4, 1776. This is where the Fourth of July holiday comes in. The Fourth of July is known as Independence Day because that is the day that the Second Continental Congress adopted the full and formal Declaration of Independence. Even though we had declared that we were independent, the American Revolution was still being fought, which meant that we were still not independent. Regardless of the ongoing war the following year, people in Philadelphia celebrated a muted Fourth of July. The Fourth of July us one ofnbsp;the most patriotic holidays in the United States. As we celebrate the Fourth of Julynbsp;via barbecues,nbsp;beach days, boating,nbsp;amp; enjoying the Firework Displays, let us not forget that many paid the ultimate price of sacrificing their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we do. Our freedom came at a very high price. A special shout out of thanks to our military amp; their familiesnbsp;from Colleen Sullivan amp; Juno Kinavy. nbsp;nbsp;Please find a list of places on Hilton Head Island where you can go to view our annual Fireworks Displays: Harbourtown, : Join the festivities in Harbour Town for a fireworks extravaganza that will light up the sky over the famous Harbour Town Lighthouse and Calibogue Sound. Complimentary. Fireworks 9-10PM Shelter Cove Harbourfest Fireworks at Shelter Cove Park 9:15PM Skull Creek Community Fourth of July Celebration On the southwestern side of the Hilton Head Island, lies Skull Creek. Many famous restaurants, such as Hudsonrsquo;s on the Dock, Skull Creek Boathouse and Old Fort Pub. Fireworks begin at 9:00PM. nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; Oceanfront Homes for Sale Oceanfront Villas for Sale Golf Homes for Sale under $600,000 Bluffton Homes for Sale under $500,000 nbsp;