Independence Day

Happy Birthday America!
by Conor Levis

Happy 4th of July everyone! The wonderful time of year when cookouts are planned, parades are held, and fireworks are viewed is upon us again. Independence Day, known by all as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the U.S. commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. It was 233 years ago today that the United States officially became it's own country. It's the day Americans come together and celebrate the beautiful country that we live in. A day of great tradition accompanied by fun activities, ceremonies, and patriotic songs such as such as the "The Star-Spangled Banner", "God Bless America", "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", and my favorite... "Stars and Stripes Forever". "The Spirit of '76...1776 that is."

I really wanted to go to Boston tonight to watch the fireworks but unfortunately I have to work most of the day and nobody is going to want to go after 6. I've just always wanted to be in the city for the 4th not just because of the fireworks display and the Boston Pops, but because of the whole historical factor. I think it'd be awesome to spend Independence Day in a city that played just a vital role in the founding of our counrty. Oh well, there's always next year and at least I can watch the celebration on TV and have a party to go to later on.

I know most people are going to be busy today, but here are some fun facts and unique, historical celebrations you might not have known about this holiday:

• In 1777, thirteen gunshots were fired, once at morning and again as evening fell, on July 4 in Bristol, Rhode Island. Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary in a manner a modern American would find quite familiar: an official dinner for the Continental Congress, toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, prayers, music, parades, troop reviews, and fireworks. Ships were decked with red, white, and blue bunting.
• In 1779, July 4 fell on a Sunday. The holiday was celebrated on Monday, July 5.
• In 1781, the Massachusetts General Court became the first state legislature to recognize July 4 as a state celebration.
• In 1791 the first recorded use of the name "Independence Day" occurred.
• In 1870, the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees...in 1938, Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday.
• Held since 1785, the Bristol Fourth of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island is the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States.
• Since 1916, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City supposedly started as a way to settle a dispute among four immigrants as to who was the most patriotic.
• Numerous major and minor league baseball games are played on Independence Day.
• The famous Macy's fireworks display over the East River in New York City has been televised nationwide on NBC since 1976.
• Since 1970, the annual 10 kilometer Peachtree Road Race is held in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Since 1973, the Boston Pops Orchestra hosts a music and fireworks show over the Charles River Esplanade called the "Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular". The event has been broadcast nationally since 2007 on CBS.
• On the Capitol lawn in Washington, D.C., “A Capitol Fourth,” a free concert, precedes the fireworks and attracts over half a million people annually.

For whatever reason, the opening credits of The Wonder Years always reminds me of the 4th of July. Maybe it's the whole family oriented- cookout-summer thing. I think you get what I mean.



But most important, the 4th reminds me of everything that is good. It reminds me of things like how wonderful family is and how great friends are. It even brings me back to things like the aftermath of September 11 and how our country came together as one. That was a special time... even in our hour of darkness. It says a lot about the people who make up the United States of America. Try to remember some of these things today. Keep our founding fathers in mind. Remember the people and events that made it possible for you to be here today. It's more than just a holiday. Have a safe and happy 4th of July everybody!


Hot Bitch of the Day:

Martha Washington

What else can we say about the the first First Lady of the United States that history hasn't already? She was a great lady and she kept Ol' Georgie boy in line. Here's to you, Lady Washington!