---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you think Independence Day is…"
description: "\"If you think Independence Day is America's defining holiday, think again. Thanksgiving deserves that title, hands-down.\" — Tony Snow"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/tony-snow-12687_america_if-you-think-independence-day-is-america_2890881.jpg"
---

#  If you think Independence Day is America's defining…

![“If you think Independence Day is America's defining holiday, think again. Thanksgiving deserves that title, hands-down.” quote by Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/tony-snow-12687_america_if-you-think-independence-day-is-america_2890881.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/tony-snow-12687_america_if-you-think-independence-day-is-america_2890881.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/tony-snow-12687_america_if-you-think-independence-day-is-america_2890881.jpg)

> “If you think Independence Day is America's defining holiday, think again. Thanksgiving deserves that title, hands-down.”

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote argues that Thanksgiving, not Independence Day, better represents America's core values and gratitude.

**In simple terms:** Thanksgiving is more representative of America.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and celebrate Thanksgiving’s significance.

Themes

culture national identity tradition

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

cultural observational

When to use this quote

- family gatherings
- national celebrations
- educational curricula

Key Concepts

American holidays collective memory

Questions to Reflect On

- How does Thanksgiving reflect American values?
- What makes a holiday defining?

A Different Perspective

Some may view Independence Day as equally important.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holiday/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Independence day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence-day/) [Thanksgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thanksgiving/)

## Related quotes

> [If you think Independence Day is Americas defining holiday, think again. Thanksgiving deserves that title, hands-down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/if-you-think-independence-day-is-americas-defining-holiday-think/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [I'm a big fan of community, and I think independence is over-rated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-phillips/i-m-a-big-fan-of-community-and-i-think-independence-is-over-rated/)

[Sally Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-phillips/)

> [It's never been a point of reference to look to a man. It's not always a good thing, I suppose, but I think independence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-tate/it-s-never-been-a-point-of-reference-to-look-to-a-man-it-s-not-always/)

[Catherine Tate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-tate/)

> [The reason I say 'never say never' is because I do not think that there should be another independence referendum in Scotland - I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-leadsom/the-reason-i-say-never-say-never-is-because-i-do-not-think-that-there/)

[Andrea Leadsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-leadsom/)

> [I think my independence was a big help to getting Judges Roberts and Alito confirmed, and I think that's recognized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlen-specter/i-think-my-independence-was-a-big-help-to-getting-judges-roberts-and/)

[Arlen Specter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlen-specter/)

> [I think for Thanksgiving particularly I've always, one of the fun things for me about doing a big dinner is having friends and family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-walsh/i-think-for-thanksgiving-particularly-i-ve-always-one-of-the-fun/)

[Kate Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-walsh/)

> [I think Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to break open a buttery, oaky Chardonnay from California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-newsom/i-think-thanksgiving-is-the-perfect-occasion-to-break-open-a-buttery/)

[Gavin Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-newsom/)

> [If you think about a Thanksgiving dinner, it's really like making a large chicken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ina-garten/if-you-think-about-a-thanksgiving-dinner-it-s-really-like-making-a/)

[Ina Garten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ina-garten/)

> [I do think that Thanksgiving is a very nice holiday because it's all about saying thank you; it's being thankful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-tremblay/i-do-think-that-thanksgiving-is-a-very-nice-holiday-because-it-s-all/)

[Jacob Tremblay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-tremblay/)

> [I am going to take something I learned over in Israel. Their Independence Day is preceded the 24 hours before with Memorial Day, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-beck/i-am-going-to-take-something-i-learned-over-in-israel-their/)

[Glenn Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-beck/)

> [I've been lucky to be a part of many blockbuster movies... in which it's hard to get to that level of being memorable, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-pullman/i-ve-been-lucky-to-be-a-part-of-many-blockbuster-movies-in-which-it-s/)

[Bill Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-pullman/)

> [People have forgotten what 4th of July really is. Its the day we got the freedom we use everyday. Its not fireworks and parties.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-have-forgotten-what-4th-of-july-really-is-its-the-day-we-got/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Think about way back then...turn your thoughts way back then...remember the essence way back then...treasured the memories way back then...Feel free to embrace the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louaiq8/think-about-way-back-then-turn-your-thoughts-way-back-then-remember/)

Louaiq8

> [If yet your blood does not rage, then it is water that flows in your veins. For what is the flush of youth, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-yet-your-blood-does-not-rage-then-it-is-water-that-flows-in-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/everything-that-is-really-great-and-inspiring-is-created-by-the/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

## More by Tony Snow

> [George Bush has become something of an embarrassment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/george-bush-has-become-something-of-an-embarrassment/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [We've got to rebuild human hearts - and persuade people that hope isn't just possible, but essential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/we-ve-got-to-rebuild-human-hearts-and-persuade-people-that-hope-isn-t/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [The real sin with Social Security is that it's a long-term rip-off and a short-term scam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/the-real-sin-with-social-security-is-that-it-s-a-long-term-rip-off/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [The art of being sick is not the same as the art of getting well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/the-art-of-being-sick-is-not-the-same-as-the-art-of-getting-well/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [The United States spends more money on African aid than any nation on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/the-united-states-spends-more-money-on-african-aid-than-any-nation-on/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [In many cases, a bout with sickness stretches your soul, opens your eyes, and introduces you to a world of unimagined grandeur, possibility and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/in-many-cases-a-bout-with-sickness-stretches-your-soul-opens-your/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [When it comes to federal spending, George W. Bush is the boy who cant say no. In each of his three years at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/when-it-comes-to-federal-spending-george-w-bush-is-the-boy-who-cant/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [The secret of learning to be sick is this: Illness doesn't make you less of what you were. You are still you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/the-secret-of-learning-to-be-sick-is-this-illness-doesn-t-make-you/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [George W. Bush broke a mold four years ago: Even though he lost the popular vote, he governed as if he had won by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/george-w-bush-broke-a-mold-four-years-ago-even-though-he-lost-the/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [You're young and you're bulletproof and invincible. But never underestimate the power of other people's love and prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/you-re-young-and-you-re-bulletproof-and-invincible-but-never/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [If you disaggregate, things fall apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/if-you-disaggregate-things-fall-apart/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [When politicians rush to fix things, it's a sure sign that either the intended patient is dead or fully healed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/when-politicians-rush-to-fix-things-it-s-a-sure-sign-that-either-the/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [Many people don't give a rip about politics and know as much about public affairs as they know about the topography of Pluto.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/many-people-don-t-give-a-rip-about-politics-and-know-as-much-about/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [Sure, science involves trial and error. Scientists refine theories each day. But as they do, they help us grasp more clearly the wonders of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/sure-science-involves-trial-and-error-scientists-refine-theories-each/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

> [Pet lovers know that animals sometimes understand us better than we do, and the annals of human sin and desire provide plenty of stories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/pet-lovers-know-that-animals-sometimes-understand-us-better-than-we/)

[Tony Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

[Explore all 53 Tony Snow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/)

## More America quotes

> [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/)

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

> [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/)

[Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/)

> [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/)

[Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/)

> [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/)

[Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/)

> [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/)

[Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/)

> [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/)

[George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/)

> [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/)

[Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/)

> [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/)

[Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/)

> [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/)

[Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/)

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

[Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If you think Independence Day is America's defining holiday, think again. Thanksgiving deserves that title, hands-down.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Tony Snow"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/if-you-think-independence-day-is-america-s-defining-holiday-think/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "America"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/if-you-think-independence-day-is-america-s-defining-holiday-think/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/tony-snow-12687_america_if-you-think-independence-day-is-america_2890881.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/tony-snow-12687_america_if-you-think-independence-day-is-america_2890881.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f1/tony-snow-12687_america_if-you-think-independence-day-is-america_2890881.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If you think Independence Day is America's defining holiday, think again. Thanksgiving deserves that title…” — Tony Snow",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Tony Snow",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-snow/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If you think Independence Day is...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/if-you-think-independence-day-is-america-s-defining-holiday-think/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-snow/if-you-think-independence-day-is-america-s-defining-holiday-think/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
