There are those Americans who feel they cannot celebrate the Fourth of July given the fact the original Independence Day took place while a sizable population in several states remained in bondage. The emancipation declaration was not signed until January 1, 1863 which freed those slaves held in bondage in the slave states under control of the Union Army.
Students of black history, however, point out the fact the confederate states was really a loose amalgam of states based on the premise of state's rights. As such, there was no single surrender of the confederacy to the federal government. The collapse of the confederacy began when Lee surrendered the Army of Virginia to Grant at Appomattox April 1865. President Jefferson Davis actually surrendered outside Durham, North Carolina at a later date.
The Army of Texas fought on until May 1865. Many slave owners in Louisiana had taken their slaves to Texas following the Emancipation Proclamation escaping enforcement for two and a half years. On June 19, 1865, some 200,000 slaves representing about one-third of the total population of Texas were freed.
Finally on July 4, 1985, the State of Missouri adopted a clause forbidding involuntary servitude. On this date, therefore, ownership of human beings became illegal throughout the land. Regardless of ones orientation, it is now possible to celebrate July 4th whether it is July 4th, 1776 and independence from foreign rule, or July 4th, 1885 and independence from slavery in all the United States.
Bottom line for the United States Virgin Islands, formally the Danish West Indies, is the 151st emancipation of slaves locally. While it is true slavery in the southern states of the United States and the British empire are vociferously discussed, both nations along with Denmark and Spain did outlaw slavery in advance of many tribal and Arab nations in Africa. One should not forget that many African tribes were most active in maintaining slaves for personal use as well as selling their brothers and sisters off the continent.
Ultimately, even the most strident critiques of the American system must recognize the articles honored on Independence Day give them the right and opportunity to dissent.
Regardless of ones heritage or political persuasion, therefore, we all have some reason to celebrate this most glorious day. Furthermore, it is a great party.