0BBrandan Buck· Opinion · 6 min · Jul 3, 2026StoryFreedom At Home, Persecution AbroadAs fireworks light the sky this Fourth of July, Americans will celebrate 250 years of independence — two and a half centuries since a bold experiment in liberty took root on this continent. We will gather with family, fly our flags and reflect on the freedoms we often take for granted: the freedom to speak, to worship, to assemble and to live according to our convictions.0 commentsShare