It’s been 248 years since this free country began.

On July 4, 1776, the U.S. officially declared its independence from the British Empire. It was the birth of the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Thirteen American colonies grew to be 50 states, and 2.5 million people in 1776 became more than 333 million people in 2024.

Our Bill of Rights, created just more than 10 years later, still stands strong today, guaranteeing civil rights and liberties to all. We’ve gone from 10 core amendments up to 27 today.

This week, we celebrated Independence Day and all those rights given to us. We paid tribute to those who have helped protect us and our rights.

Our independence and freedom shouldn’t be taken lightly.

It’s unfortunate how often we take it for granted.

Yes, it’s important to remember we have freedom of speech, the right to a fair trial, and all the other glorious amendments, but there are so many other freedoms we have that, 1.) we might not even realize we have, and, 2.) are often overlooked.

For example, every American can enjoy a free education until the age of 18. In many countries, families need their children to work to support them rather than take the time to go to school, and, in many others, there are countless barriers to accessing an education, especially for women.

We can take our education into our careers, another factor that gives us the freedom to live as we choose and be able to work whatever jobs we might desire.

And, though those jobs might have a dress code, there is usually no punishable offense for wearing the wrong thing, as some countries might not allow the same luxury. In public, as long as you’re not violating any laws, you are free to choose clothes that look and feel good on you.

We’re free to show off our looks and other pictures we’ve taken on social media, whereas, in some countries, like Qatar and Sudan, indecency laws may prevent you from doing the same. They also have strict laws to protect citizens’ privacy, not allowing photographs to be taken of individuals without their consent.

While on social media and the internet, we have free rein to access the overflow of information on any and every subject known to man, and then some. Our access isn’t censored by our government, nor are we constricted from sites. In China, on the other hand, you wouldn’t be able to access the websites of companies that compete with Chinese businesses.

In America, known as the Land of Opportunity, we’re also free to start our own businesses. Relatively few barriers to entering the business world and the resources available make it relatively easy to get a new business off the ground.

In addition to owning a business, we have the freedom to own property, all part of the American Dream. In countries like Nigeria, where the government owns all the country’s land, private land ownership is more complicated. We’re free to buy property and to mostly do what we’d like with it, whether that’s where you build your business or where you build a home and start a family.

The freedom to marry whomever you want to start said family is another liberty we have here in the U.S. Whatever your age, gender, sexual orientation, familial status, class standing, etc., we’re allowed to marry starting when we’re 18 — or younger with parental consent. To love without limitations.

Boundaries and limitations of travel are miniscule in the U.S., as well. We’re free to see all the sights the country has to offer without a visa or documentation. And, with 50 states, America is full of cultures to be experienced.

We’re also free to speak our own language here. Whatever your native tongue may be, you’re welcome to use it, because there is no official language in the U.S.

There’s no official religion in the U.S., either, and people are free to worship as they choose. You can wear a cross, a hijab, a kippah, or whatever attire or symbols are associated with your religion, and be free to wear and represent them in public.

Men and women have the right to vote.

We have freedom against unlawful searches.

You have every right to defend yourself.

And the list of our freedoms goes on.

So, this Independence Day, let’s not take our independence and freedoms for granted. The “land of the free and home of the brave” is more than just an expression or lyrics in a song.

Torianna Marasco can be reached at 989-358-5686 or tmarasco@thealpenanews.com.