Happy 248th Birthday United States "Baby"

As we celebrate the 248th birthday of our country, called an "experiment" by other countries, and many make claims that the country is changing, please keep in mind how YOUNG our country really is compared to many other countries in the world.  We are still feeling “growing pains” as a relatively young country. 

To help you see how we are just “cutting our teeth” as a country, here is a list of some of the oldest countries in the world, compared to the United States.  These countries have long and rich histories that precede the founding of the United States by several millennia in some cases, which declared its independence in 1776:

• China:  Ancient China dates back to over 4,000 years with the establishment of the Xia Dynasty around 2070 BCE.
• Egypt:  Ancient Egypt’s civilization began around 3100 BCE with the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first Pharaoh.
• Greece:  The history of ancient Greece dates back to around 800 BCE, but the Minoan civilization on Crete existed as early as 2700 BCE.
• India:  The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, dates back to around 3300 BCE.
• Iran (formerly Persia):  The history of ancient Persia begins with the Achaemenid Empire around 550 BCE, but settlements date back much earlier.
• Japan:  Japan’s recorded history begins with the establishment of the Yamato state in the 4th century CE, but archaeological evidence shows habitation as early as 30,000 BCE.
• Ethiopia:  Ethiopia’s Aksumite Empire dates back to around the 1st century CE, but the region has been inhabited for millennia, with ancient roots going back to around 980 BCE.
• San Marino:  Founded on September 3, 301 CE, San Marino claims to be the world's oldest republic still in existence.
• Armenia: The Kingdom of Urartu was established in the 9th century BCE, and Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 CE.
• Vietnam:  The history of Vietnam dates back to the founding of the first Vietnamese state, Văn Lang, around 2879 BCE.

Not only are we a very young country compared to many others, we are still trying to figure ourselves out. Speaking of figuring things out, here's we still haven't quite gotten our own celebrations of the 4th of July figured out.

Lesser-known 4th of July facts that may interest to you:

Different Independence Day: The actual vote for independence took place on July 2, 1776. John Adams even wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 would be celebrated as the great anniversary festival. However, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted on July 4, which became the date we celebrate.

First Celebrations: The first celebrations of Independence Day included mock funerals for King George III to symbolize the end of the monarchy's hold on America and the triumph of liberty.

Early Celebrations Banned in Some Places: For a period after the Revolutionary War, Independence Day celebrations were banned in several states that were loyal to the British crown or had strong ties to Britain, such as New York and Pennsylvania.

Jefferson's and Adams' Death: Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence who later served as Presidents of the United States, died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration.

The Liberty Bell: The tradition of ringing the Liberty Bell on Independence Day did not begin until 1777, and it was initially rung alongside other bells in Philadelphia to mark the occasion.

Declaration of Independence Copies: The "Dunlap Broadsides" are the first printed copies of the Declaration of Independence, produced on the night of July 4, 1776, by John Dunlap of Philadelphia. Only 26 copies are known to survive, and one was found in 1989 hidden behind a painting bought at a flea market for $4.

Fourth of July Weather: On the first Independence Day in 1776, the weather in Philadelphia was quite warm, around 76°F (24°C), and John Adams mentioned in a letter that the sky was clear.

Hot Dog Consumption: Americans consume around 150 million hot dogs on the Fourth of July each year. If laid end to end, they would stretch from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles more than five times.

The Oldest Independence Day Celebration: The oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is the Bristol Fourth of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island, which started in 1785.

The United States, having declared its independence in 1776, is relatively young compared to many other nations with ancient histories spanning thousands of years. While civilizations such as China, Egypt, and Greece have roots stretching back millennia, the U.S. is still in its early stages by comparison. This relative youthfulness means that America is continuously evolving and experimenting with its identity and governance.

Despite its brief history, the United States has rapidly developed into a global superpower, marked by significant achievements in democracy, technology, and culture. However, the journey has not been without challenges. The nation has faced and continues to grapple with issues such as civil rights, economic inequality, political polarization, and social justice.

As a young country, the United States is in a constant state of learning and adaptation. The process of understanding how to effectively govern a diverse and dynamic population is ongoing. This involves balancing the founding principles with the evolving needs and values of its people. The American experiment is one of perpetual growth, reflection, and striving towards a more perfect union.

About the Author: Dr. Chris Fuzie is the owner of CMF Leadership Consulting and is currently the Business/HR Manager for a District Attorney’s office in California. Chris is a Leaderologist II and Vice President of the National Leaderology Association (NLA) who holds a Doctor of Education (Ed. D), M.A. and B.A. in Organizational Leadership, and has graduate certificates in Human Resources and Criminal Justice Education. Chris is a developer, trainer, consultant for leadership of public, private, profit, and non-profit organizations since 2010. Chris is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and a former National Instructor for the International Association of Chiefs of Police and California P.O.S.T. Courses. Chris is the author of "Because Why... Understanding Behavior in Exigencies." and of "S.C.O.R.E. Performance Counseling: Save the Relationship, Change the Behavior." Chris is honorably retired from the Modesto Police Department after 28 years of public service leading such teams as the Homicide Team, the Hostage Negotiations Team, the Street-Level Drug Team and the School Police Officer Team.