A history resource article by Mary Harrsch © 2014
Today I received a list of historical facts about the Fourth of July from Sandra Correa, a representative of the genealogy website My Heritage. I doubt if she realized that I am a Yankee Doodle Dandy born on the 4th of July so the day has particular significance to me!
When I was a girl, my family celebrated my birthday by driving down to the little southern Oregon coast town of Port Orford and watching a reenactment of the Battle of Battle Rock. We would park the car then walk over and join the crowd stretched out on the grassy dunes on the edge of the beach waiting for the excitement to start. Sometimes, local children would shoot off firecrackers or some of the more elaborate "illegal" fireworks that they had purchased up in nearby Washington state that had more liberal fireworks regulations than Oregon.
I had always heard there were some graves on the rock but according to this historical narrative, none of the nine traders beseiged at Battle Rock were slain. So if there are graves there they must be someone else. Although I've been to Battle Rock State Park many times, I have never actually climbed up on the rock to see for myself. I suppose I should add this to my bucket list!
I didn't realize until I read the narrative that so many Native Americans were involved in the attack. At the reenactments there were only a handful of reenactors dressed as Native Americans so I never realized the scope of the event.
After the battle reenactment, my family would watch the city-sponsored fireworks that were shot over the ocean afterwards. Sadly, Port Orford has dwindled to a shadow of its former self after the timber industry logged most of the surrounding trees in subsequent years. I sometimes wonder if the little town still sponsors the annual reenactment.
Anyway, for those of you interested in learning more about the Fourth, here is the list of factoids Ms. Correa sent to me:
Today I received a list of historical facts about the Fourth of July from Sandra Correa, a representative of the genealogy website My Heritage. I doubt if she realized that I am a Yankee Doodle Dandy born on the 4th of July so the day has particular significance to me!
When I was a girl, my family celebrated my birthday by driving down to the little southern Oregon coast town of Port Orford and watching a reenactment of the Battle of Battle Rock. We would park the car then walk over and join the crowd stretched out on the grassy dunes on the edge of the beach waiting for the excitement to start. Sometimes, local children would shoot off firecrackers or some of the more elaborate "illegal" fireworks that they had purchased up in nearby Washington state that had more liberal fireworks regulations than Oregon.
I didn't realize until I read the narrative that so many Native Americans were involved in the attack. At the reenactments there were only a handful of reenactors dressed as Native Americans so I never realized the scope of the event.
After the battle reenactment, my family would watch the city-sponsored fireworks that were shot over the ocean afterwards. Sadly, Port Orford has dwindled to a shadow of its former self after the timber industry logged most of the surrounding trees in subsequent years. I sometimes wonder if the little town still sponsors the annual reenactment.
Anyway, for those of you interested in learning more about the Fourth, here is the list of factoids Ms. Correa sent to me:
·
On June 11, 1776, the colonies' Second Continental
Congress formed a committee in Philadelphia whose purpose was drafting a
document that would formally sever their ties with Great Britain. The
committee included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin,
John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson crafted
the original draft document. A total of 86 changes were made to his
draft.
·
On July 2, 1776, the delegates to the Continental Congress
approved at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia the resolution
introduced on June 7, 1776 by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia calling for
independence from Great-Britain.
·
On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress officially adopted the final version of the Declaration.
·
All 56 men who ultimately signed the Declaration showed
great courage. Announcing independence from Great Britain was an act of
treason, punishable by death.
·
John Hancock, the president of the Second Continental
Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration. With its ornate
capitals, Hancock's sprawling signature is prominent on the document.
Since then, when people are asked for their "John Hancock,"
they are being asked to sign their names.
·
On July 5, copies of the Declaration of Independence were distributed.
·
On July 6, The Pennsylvania ‘Evening Post’ became the first newspaper to print the Declaration.
·
On July 8, 1776, the first public readings of the
Declaration were held in Philadelphia's Independence Square to the
ringing of bells and band music.
·
The second president, John Adams, wrote his wife Abigail
in 1776 "I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations
as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be celebrated by pomp and
parade, with shows, games, sports, guns,
bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to
the other..."
·
In 1777, Philadelphia hosted an elaborate demonstration of
joy and festivity. Bells were rung, guns fired, candles lighted, and
firecrackers set off. Cannons rained 13-gun salutes in honor of each
state.
·
In 1778, marked the first Independence Day oration—given by historian and patriot David Ramsay in Charleston, South Carolina.
·
In 1781 Massachusetts became the first state to celebrate officially July 4.
·
In 1783, Boston became the first city to designate, by a
public vote, July 4 as the official day of commemoration. July 4 became a
holiday in some places. Speeches, military events, parades, and
fireworks marked the day.
·
Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of
the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the
United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th
anniversary of the Declaration.
·
Another Founding Father who became a President, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831
·
In 1870, the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees.
·
Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4,
1872, and is so far the only President to have been born on Independence
Day.
·
Kansas City, Missouri hosted an “Americanization Day” on July 4, 1915, at which 220 new citizens sang patriotic songs.
·
On July 4 1918 cities such as Philadelphia, New York City,
and Washington, DC held “melting-pot” celebrations, showcasing hundreds
of thousands of foreign-born Americans and their traditions in an
assortment of parades and celebrations.
·
In 1938, Congress declared July 4 a paid federal holiday.
·
Over time, various other summertime activities also came
to be associated with the Fourth of July, including historical pageants,
picnics, baseball games, watermelon-eating contests, and trips to the
beach. Common foods include hot dogs, hamburgers,
corn on the cob, apple pie, coleslaw, and sometimes clam bakes.
·
Some New England towns keep celebrate the night before the Fourth with bonfires.
·
Independence Day fireworks are accompanied by patriotic
songs such as the national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner", "God Bless
America", "America the Beautiful", "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", "This
Land Is Your Land", "Stars and Stripes Forever",
"Yankee Doodle","Dixie".
·
Philadelphia holds its celebrations at Independence Hall,
where historic scenes are reenacted and the Declaration of Independence
is read.
·
Other interesting parties include the American Indian
rodeo and three-day pow-wow in Flagstaff, Arizona, and the Lititz,
Pennsylvania, candle festival, where hundreds of candles are floated in
water and a ‘Queen of Candles’ is chosen.
Traditions: hang the flag, go to a parade, have a block
party, barbecue party, watch some fireworks, family reunions, baseball
games, fairs, picnics, concerts.
I hope you all have fun helping me celebrate!!
 
|
 
|
 
|
No comments:
Post a Comment