11/16/2023 0 Comments Sparklers for 4th of julyIndependence Celebrated on the Wrong Day?")Īmericans have celebrated the 4th of July ever since, though it was not declared a federal holiday until 1941.īut if the date itself has changed, the rest of Adams's Independence Day vision remains on the mark more than two centuries later. It became widely circulated, and July 2nd was forgotten." And that was the broadside that was sent out to all of the new states and the generals in the field. "When they took that document to the printer on July 4th, he printed that date on the top. "They didn't have the written document completed until the 4th," Heintze said. (The signing of the Declaration of Independence didn't begin until August and wasn't complete until November.) really should observe July 2nd-the day Congress voted for independence-as Independence Day. ![]() president had the date wrong, but Heintze maintains that the U.S. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival," wrote John Adams to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776. "The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha in the History of America. (Related: "State Fairs" in National Geographic magazine.) Today the event is a crown jewel in the world of competitive eating. Legend has it that the battle began when a group of recent immigrants wanted to prove their patriotism on the nation's birthday. Take Nathan's Famous 4th of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which will be held for the 94th time on July 4th, 2009. Meanwhile, new traditions have arisen-many of which would have surely stumped the Founding Fathers. But as red-white-and-blue paper, and the flag became more important, that fell out of favor." Soldiers wore greens in their caps, and buildings were decorated. "That was started by George Washington and his troops. "Back in the early 19th century, they also celebrated with a lot of greenery," American University 4th of July historian Heintze said. The practice faded as cannons aged and fell into disrepair. Nineteenth-century Independence Days featured noisy artillery salutes, as explosives left over from various wars were fired all day during the 4th of July. fireworks industry reached an all-time high of $930 million.Ĥth of July Fireworks: Out With Old, In With Newįireworks may be flourishing, but some 4th of July traditions have faded. ![]() The APA also reports that fireworks are more popular than ever, and that backyard fireworks more than doubled between 2000 (102 million pounds/46 million kilograms sold annually) and 2007 (238 million pounds/108 million kilograms). For the professional display industry, it's probably 75 percent." "At least 90 percent of their revenue is based on Independence Day. ![]() "On the consumer side, the 4th is the bread, butter, meat, and potatoes of the industry," she said. skies each 4th of July.ĪPA executive director Julie Heckman said fireworks professionals plan for about 11 months for 1 month of booming business. The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) estimates that more than 14,000 fireworks displays light up U.S. (Listen to National Geographic World Music's 4th of July playlist.)įireworks, first authorized by Congress for 4th of July, 1777, are another legacy. "Parades, speeches, music, public readings of the Declaration of Independence-those were started in the days after the declaration was adopted and continue today," Heintze said. Some 4th of July traditions are timeless. was only part of the scene-Franklin also hoped to persuade the French to support the cause of U.S. In 1778, while George Washington celebrated the 4th of July with his troops in Princeton, New Jersey, Benjamin Franklin was in Paris, throwing a party for expat Americans and French elites.įeting the U.S. Such 4th of July festivities are as old as the United States itself. "He and his men set off fireworks in a storm when the temperature was actually quite warm for them-33 degrees below zero ," Heintze said. "In 1934 Richard Byrd was in Antarctica at his base Little America," Heintze said. ![]() Heintze, American University librarian emeritus and author of The 4th of July Encyclopedia. national holiday has been celebrated on every continent, notes James R. Cookouts, fireworks, and, of course, a chance to wish Uncle Sam a big "happy birthday"-the 4th of July means summer in full swing across the United States and beyond.
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