"Look how proudly I marched on July 4th last year!" cried the Space Alien. "I beat the drum in a Spirit of '76 reenactment so all the marchers could keep in step!"
http://spacealiengazette.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-space-alien-celebrates-our-nations.html
"And this July marks the completion of our fourth year of online publication of the Space Alien Gazette," added the Space Alien. "I think we should have a big party to celebrate that as well!"
"But you know we can't have a big party now because of COVID-19," said Your Editor.
"So what shall I do instead on July 4th?" cried the Space Alien.
Your Editor paused before answering.
"Do you know what the Fourth of July is all about?" she asked.
"I'm not sure," answered the Space Alien.
"Maybe the invention of firecrackers?"
"Not at all," said your Editor. "Just look at this!" she continued, taking a framed reproduction down from the wall.
"This document, written over 200 years ago and signed on July 4, 1776, declared the independence of the United States of America from the British Empire," she explained.
And you may read it here:
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
The Space Alien looked over this document thoughtfully, and then read these words aloud:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
"These are very important words!" said the Space Alien. "I am going to spend the rest of the day studying them and thinking about their meaning!"
"That's a good idea," agreed Your Editor. "I'll join you -- we'll do this together! And then we'll act to assure that our government today will actually live up to these words with fairness for all!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This issue of the Space Alien Gazette is lovingly dedicated to the memory of my dear Uncle Al who reminded us each year to re-read the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July.