Figure 1.--This appears to be a 4th of July portrait, presumbly a brother and sister. The children are dressed in their best clothes for the evvent. The boy wears a classic Little Lord Funtlroy suit for the occassion. Unlike modern celebrations, people seem to have dressed up for 19th century celbrations. The cabinent card is undated, but looks like the 1890s to us.

America by the early-19th century was celebrting the 4th of July parades, picnics, and fireworks. It was the first imprtant national holiday that was not of a relgious nature (Easter and Christmas). The Declaration was read to the public in Philadelphia at Independence Square. Bells were stringing and military bands played while bonfires were lit. This became the template for marking the 4th and the custom soon appeared in cities and small towns throughout the country. Americans celebrated with processions, long-winded oratory, picnics, contests, games, military displays, and of course fireworks. And these celebrations became more common and elaborate after the War of 1812 a kind of second war for indeprndence from Britain. The first image we have of this is a celebration in Philadelphia (1819). Former President Jeffersom wrote to Roger C. Weightman, declining an invitation to come to the capital to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence (1826). Both Jefferson and Adams, who were gravely ill, died on the 4th, hours apart. It was not a formal holiday, meaning today a Federal holiday. The Federal Governmnt in the early-19th century was very small and not all that large by the end of the century. Thus Federal pronouncements did not make all that much difference. States began declaring thr 4th a holiday. Congress formally established Independence Day as a holiday (1870). Unfortunately there was no photography to record events in the early-19th century. And even after photography was invented (1839), it was mostly studio photography. We notice some 4th of July portraits.

Created: 3:44 AM 7/3/2017
Last updated: 12:25 AM 2/17/2023