Oh, Say Can You See…
“…that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”
Thus ended the Declaration of Independence penned by a then 33 year old Thomas Jefferson, and gave birth to a new nation, conceived in liberty and justice for all.
Independence Day, or more commonly referred to as The 4th of July, has b
een celebrated almost ever since – I say almost, as it wasn’t until after the war of 1812 when the U.S. became irritated that the British had not withdrawn their troops along the Great Lakes and fought the British again, that is was celebrated outside of Philadelphia.
It was during that 3 year war that Francis Scott Key wrote “Defence of Fort McHenry” in 1814, not during the Revolutionary war, whose first eight stanzas, renamed “The Star Spangled Banner” became our national anthem, passed by congress in 1931.
Although I have found no evidence to support this hypnosis, it could very well be that “And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there” might well have given birth the use of fireworks on this national holiday.
The 4th of July held special importance in our family. My father’s birthday was on July 5th, so the two celebrations became one. It was a day filled with friends, food and fireworks.
We had a large peach tree in our backyard and they ripened this time of year. My mother always made home made peach ice cream. I think it was actually dreamed up to keep us kids out of her hair as the task of cranking the ice cream maker was delegated to us. In any case, it was the best ice cream I ever had.
No 4th was complete without our own fireworks. Now banned from most cities in California, it was part of a national tradition to light your own. We would buy a pre-assembled box of fireworks just for the occasion and I would use my own hard earned allowance (someone had to mow the lawn) to buy more sparklers. All I recall is that we’d set off an array of pinwheels, roman candles and other fireworks that for a brief moment lit up the backyard.
Today, we plan a barbeque. No peach ice cream and no personal fireworks, at least I didn’t think so. When I went to turn on the drip system in the yard this morning I noticed something remarkable. The aloe cactus chose to bloom today, sending up spikes of bright orange red flowers looking like sparklers.
It has brightened my day, and put a smile on my face. And something else: despite what political views you may have, or feelings toward our current government, we are still the freest people on this planet. Blessing to you all, and a Happy Independence Day!
“…that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”
Thus ended the Declaration of Independence penned by a then 33 year old Thomas Jefferson, and gave birth to a new nation, conceived in liberty and justice for all.
Independence Day, or more commonly referred to as The 4th of July, has b
een celebrated almost ever since – I say almost, as it wasn’t until after the war of 1812 when the U.S. became irritated that the British had not withdrawn their troops along the Great Lakes and fought the British again, that is was celebrated outside of Philadelphia.It was during that 3 year war that Francis Scott Key wrote “Defence of Fort McHenry” in 1814, not during the Revolutionary war, whose first eight stanzas, renamed “The Star Spangled Banner” became our national anthem, passed by congress in 1931.
Although I have found no evidence to support this hypnosis, it could very well be that “And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there” might well have given birth the use of fireworks on this national holiday.
The 4th of July held special importance in our family. My father’s birthday was on July 5th, so the two celebrations became one. It was a day filled with friends, food and fireworks.
We had a large peach tree in our backyard and they ripened this time of year. My mother always made home made peach ice cream. I think it was actually dreamed up to keep us kids out of her hair as the task of cranking the ice cream maker was delegated to us. In any case, it was the best ice cream I ever had.
No 4th was complete without our own fireworks. Now banned from most cities in California, it was part of a national tradition to light your own. We would buy a pre-assembled box of fireworks just for the occasion and I would use my own hard earned allowance (someone had to mow the lawn) to buy more sparklers. All I recall is that we’d set off an array of pinwheels, roman candles and other fireworks that for a brief moment lit up the backyard.
Today, we plan a barbeque. No peach ice cream and no personal fireworks, at least I didn’t think so. When I went to turn on the drip system in the yard this morning I noticed something remarkable. The aloe cactus chose to bloom today, sending up spikes of bright orange red flowers looking like sparklers.
It has brightened my day, and put a smile on my face. And something else: despite what political views you may have, or feelings toward our current government, we are still the freest people on this planet. Blessing to you all, and a Happy Independence Day!
Charming.
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