Happy Independence Day!

This piece of paper is one of the great treasures of human history and it belongs to you and me.

On July 4, 1776, 56 people stepped forward to sign a Declaration of Independence.

Representatives of the 13 colonies publicly risked their lives and fortunes to choose freedom over tyranny. They chose hope—and ideals about freedom—over all that they had known in the past. In that moment, they embarked on an adventure of the human spirit that inspires our dreams today:

"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…." With these words, penned by Thomas Jefferson, edited by Benjamin Franklin, the United States of America was born.

The Fourth of July holiday is a time to remember that the birthday gift of freedom that our forefathers created for us 232 years ago is not free.

The Mountain Enterprise


Fourth of July events open for the public to enjoy:

Fort Tejon 1856 Fourth of July
Off I-5 near Lebec. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Cannons roar at noon. 1856 games and costumed Dragoons. Picnic grounds for families. $5 adults, $3 children, under 6 free.

AARP Fourth of July Potluck Picnic
12 noon at Frazier Mountain Community Park. All welcome, “the more the merrier.”

Fireworks Onscreen at Pine Mountain Village Gazebo
Fireworks from around the nation on a big screen, along with old-time radio show. Free admission. Refreshments available.

Bakersfield College
6 p.m. $10/$15 tickets to benefit firefighters;1801 Panorama Drive
Tickets available at gates or at any Bakersfield Fire Department. (661) 326-3911

Castaic Lake Recreation Area–Northern L.A. County
I-5 south, exit Lake Hughes Rd.
5-9 p.m. live music
9 p.m. fireworks display
$5 walk-in, $25 per carload
(661) 257-4050

Fillmore Fireworks Display
9 p.m. Display will originate from Fillmore Middle School (Ventura County), but viewing will be from all city parks where visitors may also set off ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks. (805) 524-3701


This is part of the July 04, 2008 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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