HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW WHAT INDEPENDENCE DAY IS ALL ABOUT?

Most vaguely have a warm sense that July 4 is a holiday, there are parades and barbecues, we sing patriotic songs, play historic trivia games, since 1916 there has been Nathan's hot dog eating contest (which was again won by Joe Chestnut, who ate 69 Koshers) and, of course, there are those fireworks.  I wonder how much money annually goes up in flames.  

This is our Nation's 237th birthday, which is nationally celebrated with "A Capitol Fourth," the concert on the Mall.  I was at the first concert 33 years ago, and  getting to a restroom was a problem because there were no paths.  Half a million set up their sitting area and the Capitol lawn was covered.  In those days there were a lot of drunk people looking for relief, including me.  Now, there are almost insane security precautions, all bags are checked and alcohol is prohibited.  This is America, which means someone has to pay for the entertainment/fireworks, and the sponsors are:

The program will feature Barry Manilow, Candice Glover and Scotty McCeery from American Idol, "Motown The Musical," Jackie Evancho, Smash, Glee and conductor John Williams, from 8-9 PM on your public TV station.

Yesterday, I began my blog with Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence.  On 4July1776 this document was adopted by the U.S. Congress, declaring independence from Great Britain.  A founding father and to be second President, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.^[6]

July 2 was the day Congress acted on this resolution.  Particularly interesting that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only two founders to become President of the USA, died on the same day, July 4, 1826.  Our 30th POTUS, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4, 1872.

But about Independence Day, much of the war took place after 4July1776, and officially ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.  It wasn't only the 13 colonies versus Great Britain.  We got considerable help from France, the Netherlands, Spain and Mysore.  Mysore?  Yes, Mysore from India, which was opposed to the British, and the sea victory off their coast was the final battle of the American Revolutionary War.  Now you know some of the history related to this day of hot dogs and hamburger.

The Boston Pops will be celebrating its 40th fireworks spectacular.  However, not sure if it will be nationally televised this year.  If so, it should be on CBS.

Manhattan and Macy's can boast of the biggest fireworks show, with 3 million watching in person (on NBC, and will conflict with the DC program) 

Fourth of July in New York City began with the re-opening of the Statue of Liberty:

I show Selena Gomez because to her right is One World Trade Center (formerly called Freedom Tower), 104-stories and 1776 feet high, to open next year:

The fireworks were spectacular and must have gone on for 25 minutes:

Jackie Evancho opened the Capitol Fourth with the Star Spangled Banner:

She is growing up, now 13.  Neil Diamond might be losing his voice, but he was the highlight of the evening:

The fireworks were not as massive as New York's, but the national monuments added meaningfulness:

It will re-open next year.

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