4th of July | Reason Archives (original) (raw)
Rekindle the Spirit of Independence by Legalizing Home Distilling
A modern legal battle challenges the federal ban on distilling alcohol at home—a favorite hobby of the Founding Fathers.
C. Jarrett Dieterle | 7.4.2024 6:00 AM
Biden, Trump, and RFK Jr. Are All Anti-Freedom
Those three presidential candidates are making promises that would have bewildered and horrified the Founding Fathers.
John Stossel | 7.3.2024 12:30 AM
Federal Judge to Biden Administration: Stop Telling Social Media Sites To Limit Free Speech
Plus: Teaching A.I. about the Fourth of July, and more...
Eric Boehm | 7.5.2023 9:30 AM
I Asked an A.I. To Help Me Launch the American Revolution
Excerpts from a dialogue with ChatGPT
Jesse Walker | 7.4.2023 7:00 AM
Federal Safety Regulators Say 43 Percent of Tested Fireworks Are Illegal. God Bless America.
Fireworks consumption is at record levels even as fireworks injuries fall.
Christian Britschgi | 7.3.2023 10:00 AM
On Independence Day, Find Common Ground Over Freedom
Pandemic policies, anti-terror efforts, and feuding factions erode Americans’ liberty.
J.D. Tuccille | 7.3.2023 7:00 AM
Free-Range Kids in Virginia, Connecticut, and Illinois Celebrate a Very Special Independence Day
New reasonable childhood independence laws in these states will make it easier for parents to let children enjoy the holiday.
Lenore Skenazy | 7.1.2023 7:00 AM
How Would You Change the Constitution?
I asked scholars, podcasters, and passersby how they'd change the nation's founding charter. Here's what they told me.
John Stossel | 7.6.2022 5:00 PM
Is America Heading for a National Divorce?
Plus: A listener asks about Supreme Court legitimacy, and the editors practice "libertarian Festivus."
Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Christian Britschgi | 7.5.2022 4:20 PM
Chicago Area Fourth of July Shooting Leaves 6 Dead, Dozens Wounded
Plus: Inflation eats up Americans' savings, copyright officials want to protect your fireworks photos, and more...
Christian Britschgi | 7.5.2022 9:30 AM
America's Founders Raged Against Qualified Immunity, Trade Restrictions, and Anti-Immigrant Policies
Hey, we're still mad about those things today!
Eric Boehm | 7.4.2022 8:30 AM
Once Again, the Firework Cops Failed To Stop People From Celebrating Freedom With a Boom
Firework seizures and buyback programs won't stop millions of Americans from setting off black-market bottle rockets tonight.
Christian Britschgi | 7.4.2022 7:00 AM
Brickbat: The Land of the Free
Charles Oliver | 7.7.2020 4:00 AM
Two Reflections on the American Revolution
I recapitulate why it's important that the American Revolution was not an ethno-nationalist secession movement, and address claims that history would have taken a better course had the Revolution been defeated or never happened.
Ilya Somin |The Volokh Conspiracy | 7.4.2020 10:45 AM
What the Declaration of Independence Said and Meant
It officially adopted the political theory of the United States: securing the individual rights of We the People
Randy E. Barnett |The Volokh Conspiracy | 7.4.2020 10:18 AM
Despite Its Government's Antics, America Has Made Moral Progress in a Difficult Time
That's not the case in countries with authoritarian rulers who want to believe that America is just like them.
Shikha Dalmia | 7.4.2020 8:00 AM
Remy: Stars and Stripes (Occupational Licensing Parody)
Free Dumb Isn't Free
Remy and Austin Bragg | 7.4.2019 8:21 AM
Trump's Militarized Fourth of July Parade Makes America Less Great
We're getting a military parade because Donald Trump wants one. The arguments for leaving our tanks at their bases are far more numerous, significant, and powerful.
Eric Boehm | 7.4.2019 6:46 AM
Trump's Proposed Tariffs on Tea and Fireworks Are Doubly Awful on Independence Day
Tariffs on tea have never caused any problems, right?
Eric Boehm | 7.3.2019 6:00 PM
Here's What's Standing in the Way of Your Independence Day Fireworks
From fireworks task forces to local snitches.
Zuri Davis | 7.3.2019 5:15 PM
H.L. Mencken on Independence Day: 'We Have Borne Rascality Since 1776, and We Continue To Survive'
The sage of Baltimore on impeachment, the press, and the people
Marion Elizabeth Rodgers | 7.3.2019 9:00 AM
Celebrate Limited Government on the Fourth of July
Remember that the Declaration of Independence stands for inalienable rights.
John Stossel | 7.3.2019 12:01 AM
A Reason to Celebrate This Fourth of July
The Constitution and the Declaration of Independence have helped keep us mostly free.
John Stossel | 7.4.2018 12:01 AM
Facebook Algorithm Flags, Removes Declaration of Independence Text as Hate Speech
The social media site has a difficult time telling the difference between white nationalist ravings and the writing of Thomas Jefferson.
Christian Britschgi | 7.3.2018 4:50 PM
Stossel: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
What we should celebrate on Independence Day.
Maxim Lott and John Stossel | 7.3.2018 11:20 AM
How the Declaration of Independence Explains Political News in 2018
Complaining about the government never goes out of style.
Ira Stoll | 7.3.2018 12:01 AM
Legal or Illegal, Fireworks Are More Available Than Ever
Widespread demand, scofflawry, and loosening laws are making firecrackers, fountains, and bottle rockets easier to get.
J.D. Tuccille | 7.3.2018 12:00 AM