|
|
TimeLines of Liberty
American Holidays |
|
|
|
|
Independence Day
AKA:
July Fourth - July 4th - Fourth of July
- 4th of July
Last updated June, 2007.
TimeLine -
Notable Events -
Trivia -
A Poem -
Quotes -
4th of July Links |
|
Independence Day is the celebration of liberty, of a nation
founded upon liberty.
The Fourth of July celebrates America.
We honor the sacrifices of the founding fathers and other of
their contemporaries who
financed, fought, worked and died to create a new nation
accountable to the people.
Organized celebrations include, parades, oratories by
politicians, community group events, picnics and barbeques, many
culminating at dusk with a fireworks display.
Pyrotechnic Displays are usually within a couple hours drive of
most Americans with the most popular transmitted on live
television. Picnics and Barbeques bring families together
remembering that it is liberty that keeps our communities
together. Though use of an actual flag, being made into or sewn
onto clothing is prohibited, many designs (that may include the
flag image) are created and applied to clothing for the purpose
of displaying patriotism. |
America's Independence Day
has its origins in the
American Revolutionary
War and
American History.
The
Declaration of
Independence is the primary document, revered by American
citizens. |
|
TimeLine of
Independence Day |
1765-
1773 |
~ |
Several internal and external taxes
and tariffs are imposed by the British Parliament that outrages
the colonial citizens. |
|
1773 |
Dec. |
Outraged by "Taxation without
Representation" the Sons of Liberty responds with the Boston Tea
Party; dumping 342 chests of tea overboard into Boston Harbor. |
|
1774 |
Sep. |
Virginia
took the lead in organizing a continental congress to represent
the colonies.
The First Continental Congress met
to discuss a united action of grievances to be sent to King
George III. |
|
1775 |
April
19 |
Armed conflicts between the British
and the colonists occur on April 19th 1775.
- See the poem "Liberty
Ride of Dawes, Revere." |
|
1775 |
May
10 |
The Second Continental Congress
convenes in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
on May 10th. |
|
1776 |
June
7 |
A
Resolution of Congress on June 7th is introduced by
Richard Henry Lee that the body,
". . . declare the United Colonies free and independent States,
absolved from allegiance to or dependence on the Crown or
Parliament of Great Britain..." |
|
1776 |
June
11 |
A five man Committee is selected, on
June 11th, to draw up a draft of a declaration of independence
to be considered by the Continental Congress. |
|
1776 |
July
3rd |
The five-man committee presents a
draft of a
declaration of independence for debate and revisions. |
|
1776 |
July
4th |
The
Declaration of
Independence is adopted by the Continental Congress
without final dissent on July 4th 1776 and signed on that date
by John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress
and the Secretary,
Charles Thomson. |
|
1776 |
July
8 |
The
Declaration of
Independence is read in the first two public readings on June 8th,
1776. Philadelphia Committee of Safety
member, Colonel John Nixon, read the
Declaration at Independence Square in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bells rang all day. In the evening, the Declaration was
proclaimed before the militia on the Commons. Public
readings occurred the same day in Easton,
PA and Trenton,
New Jersey where
Independence from England was heralded with the ringing of
bells, bonfires and fireworks. |
|
1776 |
July
10 |
The first public reading of the
Declaration of
Independence in New York,
New York is delivered on July
10th. |
|
1776 |
July
18 |
The first public readings of the
Declaration in Boston,
Massachusetts and Portsmouth,
New Hampshire, take place on
July 18th. |
|
1776 |
July
25 |
Williamsburg,
Pennsylvania held a
celebration on July 25th, 1776 with readings of the
Declaration of
Independence at the Capitol, the Courthouse and the Palace.
The citizens showed acclaims for the militia parade, shooting of
muskets and firing of cannons.
In Trenton,
New Jersey the people and militia gathered to proclaim its
independence.
In the state of
New York the
Declaration was read at the
headquarters of each brigade of the continental army posted near
or in New York city. The statue of King George III was tore down
and the lead melted down for musket balls. |
|
1776 |
July
29 |
In Baltimore,
Maryland, on July 29th, a
public reading of the
Declaration takes place. |
|
1776 |
Aug.
17 |
in Annapolis on 17 August at a
convening of the convention, "unanimous" support of the tenets
of the
Declaration are expressed
|
|
1777 |
July
4 |
On July 4th, 1777 the first
celebration of independence was held in Bristol,
Rhode
Island. Thirteen guns were fired at morning and again as
evening fell. Bristol still holds the celebration today with the
distinction as the oldest, continuous Independence Day
celebration in America. |
|
1777 |
July
4 |
Congress
adjourns on July 4th, 1777 to celebrate the first anniversary of
the
Declaration of
Independence. Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
celebrated with bonfires, the ringing of bells and fireworks. |
|
1777 |
July
4 |
Captain Thompson
invites citizens of Portsmouth,
New Hampshire to lunch on his Continental
frigate.
Rev. William Gordon delivers the first religious sermon on
Independence Day before the General Court of
Massachusetts in
Boston. |
|
1778 |
July
4 |
Addressing "a Publick Assembly of
the Inhabitants" in Charleston,
South
Carolina David Ramsay delivers the
first Independence Day oration. |
|
1778 |
July
4 |
General
George Washington ordered an
artillery salute and granted a double ration of rum for his
troops to celebrate the second anniversary of declaring
independence.
A cannon captured from Burgoyne's army is used for an artillery
salute in Princeton,
New Jersey
Guns are fired and "sky rockets" are lunched into the air in
Philadelphia.
Without firing a shot Revolutionary
troops over take the British and occupy Kaskaskia Island,
Illinois. George Rogers Clark
rings a liberty bell as his troops secure the town.
American prisoners of war held
captive at Mill Prison, near Plymouth, England, attach home-made
American flags to wear on their hats, all day. |
|
1778 |
July
4 |
In Passy, France, American gentlemen
and ladies are invited to dinner, hosted by
John Adams and
Benjamin Franklin. |
|
1778 |
July
5 |
The "4th of July" falls for the
first time since independence on a Sunday, celebrations are held
on or through Monday the 5th. The one day delay begins a tradition that has
been honored 32 times between 1776 and 2007. |
|
1781 |
~ |
The
Massachusetts legislature enacts the first official state
holiday recognizing the Fourth of July in 1781. |
|
1781 |
July
4 |
The
militia, at Newport,
Rhode
Island, host a celebration dinner
inviting French officers. |
|
1782 |
July
4 |
The
Continental Army "officers of the Regement" At Saratoga,
New York
celebrate with a "volley of Musquets at the end of each" toasts
|
|
1783 |
July
4 |
Boston,
Massachusetts becomes the first city, in 1783, to vote to
observe the Fourth of July; which in 1784 replaced the March 5th
remembrance of the Boston Massacre. Boston's observance
contributed to the making of July 4th an American tradition
spreading to other cities and states with parades, military
displays, patriotic oratory and fireworks. |
|
1783 |
July
4 |
1783- Alexander Martin of
North
Carolina is the first governor to issue a state order (18 June)
for celebrating the Fourth--------------------- |
|
1783 |
July
4 |
Moravians in Salem,
North
Carolina held a celebration of the
Fourth of July in 1783. An elaborate music program called "Psalm
of Joy" was conducted by Johann Friedrich Peter. |
|
1783 |
July
4 |
Charleston,
South
Carolina holds a
celebration. A dinner is given by the governor of
South
Carolina, 13 toasts to each state are made followed by a volley
of 13 shots from artillery guns. A band played a dirge for 13
minutes. |
|
1786 |
July
4 |
Beaufort,
North
Carolina, a celebration is
held with an artillery salute. One errant shell hits the Court
House causing a fire that destroys the building. |
|
1787 |
July
4 |
Young John Quincy
Adams watches several military companies in processions, and
listens to an oration at the old brick meeting house in Boston,
Massachusetts. |
|
1788 |
July
4 |
Francis Hopkinson
organizes the "Grand Federal Procession," in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania,
It is the largest parade in American history as of 1788. |
|
1788 |
July
4 |
The first
"official" celebration of the anniversary of the
Declaration of
Independence occurs on July 4th, 1788 after
adjournment of Congress, followed by a ceremonial dinner,
bonfires, ringing of bells and, of course, fireworks. The
required number of states had adopted the Constitution by this
time. |
|
1788 |
July
4 |
Celebrations become politicized in 1788 when factions bicker
over the adoption of the Federal Constitution. Clashes occur
among pro and anti-Constitution factions in Albany,
New York.
William Weston judge of the Superior
Court leads 1,000 citizens in an unsuccessful attempt to disrupt
a celebration of the proposed ratification of the Constitution
in Providence,
Rhode
Island on July 4th, 1788.
The first Independence Day oration west
of the Alleghany Mountains was delivered by James M. Varnum in
Marietta,
Ohio (Northwestern
territory)
on July 4th. |
|
1791 |
July
4 |
The
first record of July 4th being called "Independence Day" is
found in the year 1791.
George Washington's only
Fourth of July address was in
Lancaster,
Pennsylvania. |
|
1792 |
July
4 |
The Commissioners
of Federal Buildings lay the cornerstone of the Federal Bridge
in
Washington, (D.C.). |
|
1794 |
July
4 |
Colonel William
Price and 40 Revolutionary War soldiers celebrate at his home
near Nicholasville, Jessamine County,
Kentucky. |
|
1795 |
July
4 |
In Alexandria,
Virginia a
reenactment with infantry, cavalry and
artillery units is part of the celebrations. |
|
1795 |
July
4 |
Paul Revere and
Gov. Samuel Adams lay the cornerstone of the
Massachusetts State House, in
Boston, on July 4th. |
|
1796 |
July
4 |
Mr. Evan's Tavern
is the venue of the Republican Society when it meets in
Baltimore,
Maryland
on the fourth of July. |
|
1798 |
July
4 |
In Alexandria,
Virginia,
George Washington
is in attendance at a celebration dinner of a large contingency
of citizens and military officers of Fairfax County. |
|
1798 |
July
4 |
The 20-gun sloop
of war "Portsmouth" has its
keel laid on July 4th in Portsmouth,
New Hampshire. |
|
1799 |
July
4 |
"The Fourth of
July; or Temple of American Independence" a musical drama is
premiered in New York,
New York. |
|
1799 |
July
4 |
George Washington celebrates
with a citizens at Kemps Tavern in Alexandria,
Virginia.
|
|
1800s |
July |
Traditions developed out of the
early celebration of Independence Day. Parades, group picnics
and fireworks became standard traditions by the early 1800s. |
|
1800 |
July
4 |
The
first local advertisements for fireworks appear in New York.
"...A model of Mount Vernon, 20 feet long by 24 feet high,
illuminated by several hundred lamps" is displayed at Mount
Vernon Garden.
Society of the Cincinnati celebration is held at the City Tavern in
Philadelphia. A U.S. Marine Band, directed by Col. William Ward
Burrows, performs. |
|
Only the most pertinent
observations are listed from here on. For a more complete
list go to the
Chronology of Fourth of July Celebrations. |
|
1801 |
July
4 |
The White House holds the first
public Fourth of July reception in 1801. |
|
1802 |
July
4 |
The U.S. Military
Academy at West Point formally opens on July 4th, 1802. |
|
1804 |
July
4 |
Meriwether Lewis
and William Clark at Independence Creek, in 1804, hold the first
Fourth of July celebration west of the Mississippi River. |
|
1805 |
July
4 |
Boston,
Massachusetts presents its first
display of fireworks in 1805. |
|
1808 |
~ |
Richmond,
Virginia
resolves that only American liquor is to be consumed on the
Fourth of July. |
|
1815 |
Feb. |
American is again victorious against Great Britain with the War
of 1812 ending in 1815. Independence Day observations become
even more popular. |
|
1815 |
July
4 |
The cornerstone for the Washington Monument in
Baltimore,
Maryland is set in place. |
|
1852 |
July
5 |
Frederick Douglass delivers his oration, "What to the Slave is
the Fourth of July?" A reminder that "liberty for all" was not
yet a reality. |
|
1858 |
July
5 |
It had been common for towns to celebrate on the 5th when July
4th fell on a Sunday; a few opted for the 3rd. Senator Robert C.
Winthrop of
Massachusetts in a letter read on
July 4th, 1858 gave his reasoning for celebrating on the 3rd
(Saturday) rather than the 5th (Monday). "You are aware that
Washington, having arrived at Cambridge on the 2d, assumed
command of the American Army for the first time on the 3d of
July, 1775. Would it not be a most agreeable and worthy
coincidence, if, when the intervention of a Sunday shall cut off
the customary routine of these celebrations, we could combine
the commemoration of those two great events: Washington taking
command of the Army in 1775, and Congress declaring our
Independence in 1776" The suggestion, when instituted, caused
protest among many citizens. |
|
1870 |
~ |
The U.S. Congress makes Independence
Day an official holiday, celebrating the United States and its
independence. (A paid day off, for government employees, was not
granted at that time.) |
|
1896 |
Music |
"The
Stars and Stripes Forever" is written by John Philip Sousa,
the King of March, while on a return voyage
from a European vacation. - See the
Flag TimeLine, 1854 |
|
1931 |
Music
Anthem |
"The
Star-Spangled Banner", words by Francis Scott Key, officially becomes the national anthem.
- See the Flag TimeLine, 1931 |
|
1938 |
~ |
The U.S. Congress reaffirms Independence Day
as a holiday, giving Federal employees the day off with pay. |
|
2001 |
July
4 |
President George W. Bush
delivers a speech in Independence Historic National Park in
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania,
"... Today we celebrate American independence, in the place of
America's birth, close to a symbol of American liberty. As
millions know, to see the Liberty Bell is a moving experience.
In America we set aside certain places and treasures like this
to protect them from the passing of the years. We grant them
special care to mark a moment in time. Here in Philadelphia,
these markers are all around us, reminders of our history. ..." |
|
2002 |
July
4 |
At the Courthouse Square in Ripley,
West Virginia,
President George W. Bush
honors Veterans in his speech, "... These men and women
served in different places, at different times, but all were
ready when they're country needed them, ready to sacrifice, to
fight, and if necessary, to die for the sake of others.
That's the highest form of citizenship. Whether the veterans
here served in peacetime or in the worst battles, you have the
nation's gratitude and the respect of your fellow Americans. On
this 4th of July, it is my privilege to thank you for your
service to your country. ..." |
|
2003 |
July
4 |
On July 4th at the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton,
Ohio
President George W. Bush in
a speech give honor to the Military, "I'm truly honored to join
you in celebrating the 227th anniversary of our nation's
independence. The 4th of July, 2003, finds our country facing
many challenges. And we're rising to meet them" |
|
2004 |
July
2 |
During the Presidential Proclamation of Independence Day on July
2nd.
George W. Bush
says, "On Independence Day, we remember names like Washington,
Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin --and we honor their courage and
vision. We are grateful that our Founders pledged their lives,
their fortunes, and their sacred honor to create an independent
America. And we are thankful that this Nation under God is still
free, independent, and the best hope of mankind" |
|
2005 |
July
4 |
In a speech given at West Virginia
University in Morgantown,
West Virginia,
President George W. Bush
states, "... Today we gather to celebrate the 229th
anniversary of America's independence. Across our great land,
families will gather to fly the flag, to watch the fireworks,
and count our blessings as Americans. We are grateful for the
bounty and opportunity of our land. We are grateful for our
liberty. And we are grateful for the men and women in uniform
who keep our country safe. ..." |
|
2006 |
July
4 |
President George W. Bush
delivers his Independence Day speech at For Bragg in
North
Carolina, "...
Since that first 4th of July, some 43 million Americans have
defended our freedom in times of war. These brave men and women
crossed oceans and continents to defeat murderous ideologies and
to secure the peace for generations that followed. We live in
liberty because of the courage they displayed -- from Bunker
Hill to Baghdad, from Concord to Kabul -- on this Independence
Day we honor their achievements and we thank them for their
service in freedom's cause. ..." |
2007
+ |
~ |
The PoetPatriot.com, Roger W Hancock
has written many patriotic poems that have already been enjoyed
by many across the nation.
Patriotic Poetry. |
2007
+ |
~ |
Over the past hundred years or more
Independence Day becomes one of the most anticipated holidays
celebrated with games, athletic contests, picnics. programs and
pageants. Over concern for safety, fireworks that "blow up" or
"goes up" (shoots into the air) have been outlawed in much of
America. Communities, corporations, and other
organizations will often fund a pyrotechnic display of
fireworks, sometimes choreographed to music, and most often
ending with a "grand finale" of intense fire of various
explosions bursting out into the air as the next boom sounds. |
|
© Copyright 2005
Roger W Hancock www.PoetPatriot.com |
|
Notable
Events
Provo,
Utah holds
the America's Freedom Festival annually as one of the largest
Independence Day celebrations in the nation. One of the main
events is the Stadium of Fire held at the Brigham Young
University's LaVell Edwards Stadium on the 4th of July.
Bristol,
Rhode
Island holds the
oldest
Independence celebration.
See 1777
In Ozark,
Missouri the James River Assembly hosts the "I Love
America" celebration at the Springfield Underground. The choir's
"Living Flag" and the "Concert in the Sky" are two of the main
attractions. in 2006 120,000 people attended the events.
NASCAR's Pepsi 400 has been held on July 4th or the Saturday of the
Independence Day weekend, since 1959.
Each year over 500,000 people attend "A Capitol Fourth" on the
Capitol lawn in
Washington, D.C.
that is followed by a fireworks display.
America's 2007
Independence Day Parade
is in Washington, D.C
Sunoco Welcome
America! in
Philadelphia, is an annual event that runs over a week.
LibertyFest
in Edmond, Oklahoma, is an annual event that runs over a
week.
The Independence Day Parade in Santa Clarita, CA began in 1932.
See
Old Town Newhall.
Boston,
Massachusetts holds the annual
Boston Harborfest
. |
|
© Copyright 2005
Roger W Hancock www.PoetPatriot.com |
|
Trivia
Founding fathers
and past presidents,
John Adams
and
Thomas
Jefferson both died on July 4th, 1826; the fiftieth
anniversary of America's Independence. Adams
and Jefferson were the
only signers of the
Declaration of
Independence to
have become
President of the United States.
America's 30th President, Calvin Coolidge,
was born on July 4th, 1872.
The first 2006 launch of a Space Shuttle was on July 4th at 2:37:55
EDT with the Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-121 mission. |
|
© Copyright 2005
Roger W Hancock www.PoetPatriot.com |
|
Independence Day
by Roger W Hancock
|
The fourth of July to
celebrate,
with fireworks and remembrance.
Founder’s heroes in bravery,
country born to be great.
A sacrifice they gave back then,
of wealth and security.
Price paid with young blood,
scarlet cost for Liberty.
Declaration of Independence,
a bold unquiet dissidence.
Beginnings of a new embrace,
that liberty be, the right of men.
For you and me they fought,
that oppression not be ours.
Decay in power was their thought.
Freedom forever yours. |
Beginning of law for
freedom,
laid out in the Constitution.
Balance of power to preserve
that liberty stay intact.
We the people, not government,
in liberty they took this stance;
no king to rule without restraint,
President, congress, court for balance.
Firm foundations by great men,
from future visions dreamed.
Liberty, freedom, to us they gave.
Revel, on Independence Day.
© 1-16-2002 Roger W Hancock
www.PoetPatriot.com |
|
More Patriotic Poems by the
PoetPatriot |
Quotes
John Adams said,
“the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as
the day of deliverance, …. 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.”~~~~~~~
"May it be to the world, what I believe it will
be ... the signal of arousing men to burst the chains ... and to
assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form,
which we have substituted, restores the free right to the
unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes
are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. ... For ourselves,
let the annual return of this day forever refresh our
recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to
them."
-
Thomas
Jefferson, June 24, 1826, excerpted from his last letter,
written to Roger C. Weightman, declining an invitation to
Washington, D.C.. - Jefferson dies on July 4th, 1826.
~~~~~~~
". . . Never since it first
was created in Philadelphia, has this anniversary come in times
so dangerous to everything for which it stands. We celebrate it
this year, not in the fireworks of make-believe but in the
death-dealing reality of tanks and planes and guns and ships. We
celebrate it also by running without interruption the assembly
lines which turn out these weapons to be shipped to all the
embattled points of the globe. Not to waste one hour, not to
stop one shot, not to hold back one blow--that is the way to
mark our great national holiday in this year of 1942.
To the weary, hungry, unequipped Army of the American Revolution,
the Fourth of July was a tonic of hope and inspiration. So is it
now. The tough, grim men who fight for freedom in this dark hour
take heart in its message--the assurance of the right to liberty
under God--for all peoples and races and groups and nations,
everywhere in the world.”
-
Franklin D. Roosevelt July
4th, 1942 - Address to the nation.
~~~~~~~
"On this 4th of July, 2001, a great anniversary
of our nation's birth, and a great anniversary of religious
liberty, we remember the ideals of America and the things of the
spirit that sustain them. The Liberty Bell has been mostly
silent for two centuries. And during the Revolution, it was
unseen, hidden under the floorboards of a church in Allentown.
Yet, even in silence, it has always borne one message, cast for
the ages with the words of the Old Testament; 'Proclaim liberty
throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof.' In
this place of history, we honor the first generation of
Americans who followed those words. And we give thanks to the
God who watched over our country then, and who watches to this
very day."
-
President George W. Bush,
from remarks at Philadelphia, Independence Day Celebration,
2001.
|
|
© Copyright 2005
Roger W Hancock www.PoetPatriot.com |
Fourth of July
LINKS
|
|
Sources:
http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/independence_day/the_history_of_independence_day.shtml
-
http://www.whitehouse.gov/independenceday/2004/ -
James R. Heintze; http://www.american.edu/heintze/declar.htm
-
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/07/20020704-3.html
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadium_of_Fire
-
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/07/20010704-2.html
-
http://wilstar.com/holidays/july4.htm -
James R. Heintze; http://www.american.edu/heintze/fourth.htm
-
http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/history.html -
http://www.whitehouse.gov/independenceday/2005/ -
http://paraguay.usembassy.gov/independence_day_2006.html -
http://www.american.edu/heintze/Roosevelt.htm -
http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/Holidays/celebrate/independ.html
-
http://www.billpetro.com/HolidayHistory/hol/4th.html -
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/07/20050704.html
-
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060704.html
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_Freedom_Festival_at_Provo
-
|
|
|
|
|
