John Trumbull's famous painting depicting the signing of the Declaration.
Americans celebrate July 4th as Independence Day because it was July 4th, 1776 that members of the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia adopted the final draft of the Decleration of Independence. Following its adoption, the Declaration was read to the public in various American cities, whenever they heard it patriots erupted in cheers and celebration.
In 1777, Philadelphians remembered the 4th of July, bells were rung, guns fired, candles lighted and firecrackers set off. However, while the war for Independence dragged on, July 4th celebrations were modest at best.
When the war was ended in 1783, July 4th became a holiday in some places. In Boston it replaced the date of the Boston Massacre, March 5th, as the major patriotic holiday. Speeches, military events, parades and fireworks marked the day. In 1941, Congress declared July 4th a federal holiday.
While the Fourth is celebrated across the country, historic cities like Boston and Philadelphia draws huge crowds. Philadelphia holds its celebration at Independence Hall, where historic scenes are reenacted and the Declaration of Independence is read. The Declaration and the American Revolution have since inspired freedom-seekers the world over. Overtime various other summer time activities also came to be associated with July 4th, including historical pagents, parades, picnics, games and many more outdoor activities.
I hope you have a very safe July 4th, and go out and celebrate it with your town. Be safe above all, light your fircrackers and sparkles with care, just have a wonderful time and say a prayer for our country and the fore-fathers who drafted the Declaration, may they rest in peace.
16 comments:
Thanks for the informative post Margaret!Hope you enjoy the day:)
Most interesting to read Margaret, have a lovely 4th of July.
I too have reasons to celebrate that date, my first grandchild was born on the 4th of July 11 years ago.
Take care.
Yvonne.
I enjoyed your post on the Galapogos Islands. My son and I have always had an interest in them since he was a little boy (he's now 34) and we had pet iguanas. We have watched lots of programs depicting the wildlife there and would love to go there some time.
I hope you have a lovely 4th of July. We are hoping for some sun for the holiday as we are in this dreary rainy pattern and it just doesn't want to leave us.
As always very interesting posts!
USA was founded by a group of strong-willed gentlemen. The spirit of those great men has lived and evolved in a delightful way. Well written madam.........
Very nice post, Margaret. This year we will be having a cook out on the 4th, and as the old saying goes, we'll be killing two birds with one stone, in our case, it will be more than two.
We will be celebrating:
June 1, oldest daughters BD,
June 21st. Father's Day,
June 27th. youngest daughters BD and
July 5th. middle child's BD.
That means I only have to plan on one family get together instead of 5. Believe me getting together and cooking for about 10 to 12 people almost every week-end, there was also a reunion we attended on June 7th. which I cooked for, but used dishes I could prepare ahead and chill, can be
pretty tiring.
Then we won't have any immediate family birthdays until our Grandson turns 17 on Aug. 27th. and that will be his Mother's problem to plan for it.
Hope you, Wayne and family have a nice 4th.
HAPPY PINK SATURDAY MARGARET,
IT is your long lost blogger who needs a paddling for being away so long....I have no excuses...forgive me....you know you are my favorite lady of all times......
pray all is going well with you and wayne
amy will have to have surgery after all
blessings to you
I will try and not stay away too long
hugs and love
debbie
Hi Margaret,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I'm so bad about leaving comments when I stop by....
Hope you're having a good weekend :)
What a great write-up on Independence Day, Margaret. A history lesson for all of us.
We'll be at the cabin on the river for the 4th holiday weekend. Of course, I was at the cabin today as well, and spent several hours on the river in a jet ski! Courtesy of son number 2.
I hope your weekend is going well. Happy 4th of July, Happy weekend!
Renie
Hi Margaret, Thank you for coming by my Mad Tea Party. Loved your post on the 4th. I have company flying in tomorrow, then more on Tuesday and more on Thursday and then on the 4th we will be celebrating with a family reunion. Lots to do and lots of fun. xo Lynn
Hi Margaret:)
Greetings:)
Very informative post. Wish you and your family a happy Independence Day.
We were also ruled by the British for many centuries. We got our independence through peaceful non-cooperation and American fought for their Independence.
Have a nice day Margaret:)
Joseph
Dear Margaret ~~ Great post for Independence Day
which is this coming week. Have a great day on Saturday the 4th July. Sorry your weather is too hot, just the opposite here. No, my footy team didn't win. Maybe next week.
Glad you enjoyed the rooster joke and the grandma driving one. Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.
Gday Margaret, very imformative post 4th July.
We dont celebrate it over here in Australia, But then I had reason to celebrate 4th july it was my late husbands birthday he would have been 73 this 4 july and our 50th wedding anniversary 3july.
Thanks for the info Margaret. July 4th is one of my favorite holidays. We have kids' birthdays on the 2nd and 3rd in our family and celebrate with a big family gathering on the 4th! WIshing you a wonderful holiday!
Margaret, I really enjoyed this informative, interesting post and I will be saying a prayer for our country along with the festivities of this week.
Hope you and your family have a blessed, safe Independence Day.
Love this holiday!
thanks for this very informative post.
hope you'll have a great one!
May God watch over all over service members & your and your family. I love the lessons here!
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