The 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence is a little over a month away. Since that hot summer day in Philadelphia in 1776, the 13 original states blossomed into a country spanning the North American continent. Over the course of two centuries, Americans have developed their own customs and traditions, not the least of which is the country’s love of sports. It’s a far cry from 18th-century colonial debates held at what was then known as the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall. Still, sports have become an integral part of contemporary American culture.Sports have evolved beyond just athletic competitions watched by audiences in different venues and arenas across the country. Many recall the cherished times spent with loved ones over the years watching some of sports’ incredible moments. Some cheered while others cried, depending on outcomes, but through it all, there were emotional investments and memories made, both good and bad, that live with each of us forever because of sports.It’s a cyclical pattern that no one realizes is forming at the very beginning. Parents take their children to a first sporting event, and it paves the way for fandom. Years after their initiation, as both grow older, they get together watching their favorite teams in glorious victory or heartbreaking defeat. It’s a ritual that’s become a rite of passage for many Americans and, over the years, across generations, has led millions to watch the greatest moments in American sports history.