Pull out your phone and read the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence out loud. It is only 242 words. It will take you 90 seconds. It will give you chills.

Happy Independence Day. May we always be brave enough to defend the silence.

That silence is the rarest sound in human history. Most people, for most of time, have not had it. This year, try upgrading your celebration. Do the burgers and the sparklers—absolutely. But also try these three things: