Why on July 4th, I Celebrate Ukrainian Independence Instead of the American Colonial Rebellion
I wasn’t born in Ukraine. I was born in the United States — the land of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Like many Americans, I grew up with fireworks on July 4th, patriotic songs, and history lessons about the Founding Fathers. I was told the American Revolution was the purest expression of freedom the world had ever seen. But as I got older — and more honest — I realized something: the origin story of July 4th isn’t as noble, universal, or relevant as we pretend it is. The revolution of 1776 was a rebellion of colonies under British rule, yes. But it was also a movement led by elites — many of them slaveowners — under a government that looked nothing like what we have today. ...