*** American holidays Fourth of July








American Holidays: Fourth of July--Chronology

neigborhood Jult 4 parade
Figure 1.-- Here we see American children in the suburbs staging their own 4th of July psrade. The boys in front are in homage toi the fmous fife and drum characters in the iconic Archibald MacNeal Willard painting, 'The Spirit of '76' sometimes called 'Yankee Doolde Dandy'. The photogrph is not dated, but we would guess about 1956-58. The boys are no doubt looking forward to setting off the fireworks they have stockpiled at home.

America by the early-19th century was celebrting the 4th of July parades, picnics, and fireworks. It was the first 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. 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 he end of the century. Thus Federal pronoubcements 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. At the turn-of-the 20th century we have family snapshots and we begin to see how Americans celebrate the 4th, like the children here on the previous page. Congress reaffirmed it as a paid holiday for federal employees (1938). And President Roosevelt declared it a national holiday, just before America was plunged into World War II. Americans today continue to celebrate the 4th in many of the same ways that they have done for over two centuries. It is a summer holiday with parades, bands, firework, and picnics. There are big city and small town parades in which children such as Scouts and Cubs take place. Here we see suburban children staging their own parade in the 1950s (figure 1). And although backyard fireworks have been banned in many places because of the danger to children, most towns and cities usually have big firework displays for everyone to see and enjoy. Paricularly prominent are waving flags and patriotic music like the 'Star-Spangled Banner' and the stiring marches by John Philip Sousa.

The 18th Century

The 4th of July hliday represents when the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia declared its independence (1776). We do not yet have information on subsequent 18th century celebrations. We suspect that there was not a lot of celebrating during the war (1776-03).

The 19th Century

America by the early-19th century was celebrting the 4th of July parades, picnics, and fireworks. It was the first 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. 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 he end of the century. Thus Federal pronoubcements 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.

The 20th Century

We see very few 4th of July images in the 19th century. It was not that the 4th of July was not celebrated, it was because most of the photograophic record was studio photography. And only a few mothers (the primary parent involved in children's photography) wanted a 4th if July theme. At the turn-of-the 20th century we have family snapshots and we begin to see how Americans celebrate the 4th, like the children here on the previous page. We see countless 4th of July bimages from the beginning of the century. It was popular with children becaise of the parades, picnics, and more than anything, the fireworks. Of course as a ummer vacation, there was no school holiday, but the firewoks more than made up for thsat. Congress reaffirmed it as a paid holiday for federal employees (1938). And President Roosevelt declared it a national holiday, just before America was plunged into World War II. Americans today continue to celebrate the 4th in many of the same ways that they have done for over two centuries. It is a summer holiday with parades, bands, firework, and picnics. There are big city and small town parades in which children such as Scouts and Cubs take place. Here we see suburban children staging their own parade in the 1950s (figure 1). Gradually municipal governmenr began addresing the dangers of fire works for children. I'm glad this all occurrd aftr my childhood as that was an annual highlight of my youth--setting off fire works. I enjoyed the setting off more than big fireworks displays. And although backyard fireworks have been banned in many places because of the danger to children, most towns and cities usually have big firework displays for everyone to see and enjoy. Paricularly prominent are waving flags and patriotic music like the 'Star-Spangled Banner' and the stiring marches of John Philip Sousa.





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Created: 4:12 AM 7/5/2016
Last updated: 4:15 AM 7/22/2018