Beachwood: A memo from the desk of Mayor Ron Roma has made its way to the presses. As expected with anything fun in NJ, the annual fireworks over the Toms River have been cancelled for good. Of course Covid-19 is to blame, and the list goes on. At the end it reminds fans to join us for July 4, 2021 for the rescheduled show on “America’s Birthday.”

As a history professor it bothers me when Americans quote Independence Day as “America’s Birthday.” It simply is not- July 4, 1776 is the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That’s when our founding fathers inked a letter displaying our grievances with the King of England at the time, with the intent to become an independent nation. It will take the actions of the Revolutionary War, along with other nations formally recognizing America’s Independence for us to really give birth to a new nation.

Next time someone says Happy Birthday America on July 4, feel free to slap them with a glove- or challenge them to a duel.