Photo Album: Independence Day

Happy birthday, America

On July 4th, 2026, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of the most important events in all of human history.

And no, that isn't sarcasm or hyperbole. As Americans, the have a lot to be thankful for on Independence Day. With their blend of Enlightenment-era idealism and Judeo-Christian morality, our founders created the most free and prosperous nation to ever exist.

Like everything else in life, freedom is sadly not free. Without the courageous Americans who fought and died for our God-given natural rights in the Revolutionary War and countless wars thereafter, this experiment would never have succeeded.

Our history is decorated by a colorful cast of heroic figures: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.... I could keep going, but I'll stop for brevity. All of these brave Americans are responsible for pushing the needle of freedom and realizing the full extent of the American Dream.

All American citizens are inheritors of a deeply rich cultural tradition. Let's keep the American Dream alive for many more Independence Days beyond just the 250th.

I dedicate these next pictures to Uncle Sam. Let's get a little patriotic, shed a manly tear or two, and enjoy the fireworks.

Fireworks in Big Spring Park

Since moving to Huntsville in November 2025, I've become a frequent visitor of Big Spring Park. Its charming scenery is always perfect for an evening walk. Just do your best to avoid the duck crap.

I had never seen this many people in the park before. Families covered every square inch of grass along the water. Thankfully, I was still able to maneuver around the park without obstructing anyone's view. Walking to the back of the Museum of Art, I caught the tail-end of a fun music show. Very patriotic.

The fireworks began shortly after 9pm. I took hundreds of pictures over the course of this 20 minute show, but only kept seven.

At first, I was frustrated by the difficulty of capturing the fireworks without people obstructing the view. In retrospect, they were blessings in disguise. These firework photos would feel boring and ordinary without them.

There was some kind of storm cell cracking in the far distance. I didn't even notice until a man sitting near me suggested incorporating the lightning into the photos. By sheer luck, this next image was born. A family gazing across the waterfront as the bridge is bombarded with fireworks and electricity... it's perfect. Aside from the fact that the photo isn't level. I could just fix that digitally, but it would feel like cheating.

The next few photos followed a similar theme: spectators gazing up at an explosive sky.

I left the show early to beat the crowds. And by coincidence, I walked right past where the firework launcher was hidden.

The finale began after a brief pause. It was like a machine gun, assaulting the sky with red, white, and blue.

Not sure how safe it was to stand this close, but my lungs can forgive me later.

Final thoughts

I'll end this blog post with an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence:

"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"

Thank you for reading!