July 4, 2025

 

For the first time in my long life (thanks to the doctors at Mass. General Brigham Hospital) I am not celebrating today. Those who read this blog will understand.

I will go to listen to the reading of the Declaration of Independence by a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery at the Old State House, where it has been read to the citizens of Boston since July 18, 1776:

On July 4th in Boston, the Declaration of Independence is traditionally read from the balcony of the Old State House by the Captain Commanding of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. This event is a key part of the city's Independence Day celebrations, which also include a parade and wreath-laying ceremony. The tradition dates back to July 18, 1776, when Colonel Thomas Crafts, a member of the Company, first read the document.

Other than that tradition, I will spend the day contemplating where we are as a nation since we declared our independence from Britain 249 years ago, and became the "city on the hill" to all those who came here, dreaming of freedom and justice.