It’s coming…the Fourth of July. We all will be celebrating, but what makes this day all that special?

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

On that historical day in Philadelphia, in 1776, the signers of Declaration of Independence put their signatures on that piece of parchment; they knew they may be signing their own death sentence however; the brave and heroics men signed it anyway.

All of the signers knew that the wrath of the mighty British Army and Navy would be sailing across the Atlantic to claim back the defenseless colonies. They knew the states didn’t have the arms or training to stand against the British, much less defeat them militarily. Yet, they put their signatures, their lives, their families, their destiny, on that parchment on that historic day.

The brave men and women of the colonies fought long and hard to gain our independence from Great Britain. Little did they know at the time the United States of America would become the greatest and most powerful nation in the history of mankind. Now our military still opposes our enemies that would like to see our freedoms abolished.

Most folks enjoy the 4th with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, and family reunions. Like most of our nation, the Roanoke- Chowan area will celebrate our country’s birthday with music, food and the fireworks will fly.  Here are the area celebrations location and times.

For those of you that want to kick the Independence Day celebrations early, Bertie County begins the festivities on Wednesday July 3. Vendors of all sorts will be at the Roanoke/Cashie River Center in Windsor. The celebration begins 4 p.m. Gaylon and Sweetwater will be playing all your favorite music at 7 p.m. and the event ends with a fabulous firework display at dusk.

The Town of Ahoskie will hold its annual Independence Day celebration, Thursday July the 4. The fun begins at 6 p.m. at Hertford County High School. The celebration boast some great live music, awesome food and, fun games for the kids. The grand finale of the huge celebration will feature a spectacular fireworks show which begins at dusk.

Northampton County Chamber of Commerce, Northampton Tourism, and Northampton Government and Municipalities present its annual 4th of July celebration featuring the Band of Oz. Other events include face painting, food, and inflatables for the kids. To cap off the celebration, a great fireworks show will be presented by Grand Illusions.  The event begins at 5 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m. It will be held at Northampton Cultural and Wellness Center in Jackson.

It appears there will be plenty of fireworks, food, and fun this holiday in the Roanoke- Chowan region the week of the 4th. As always have a great time, be careful, and please don’t drink and drive.

This holiday weekend, take the time to enjoy your family and friends, but most of all be thankful for our forefather’s faith in a few tiny colonies which mustarded up enough courage and intellect to defeat the British. Those signers somehow found their inter-strengths that fateful day to sign this historical document known as the Declaration of Independence.

Joe Cowart is Publisher of Roanoke-Chowan Publications. He can be contacted at joe.cowart@r-cnews.com or 252-332-7218.