4th of July
What was important wasn't the fireworks, it was that we were together this evening, together in this place, looking up into the sky at the same time — Banana Yoshimoto
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image by: Getty Images
HWN Suggests
Should We Celebrate The Fourth Of July Anymore?
As the sun starts to set on another Independence Day, the question arises whether the American experiment in self-government is going down with it.
A recent piece in Vox.com questions why we celebrate the Fourth and goes on to lament the fact that the former colonies secured their independence from Great Britain. Why? “The main benefit of the revolution to colonists was that it gave more political power to America's white male minority,” while delaying freedom for slaves and doing nothing to help women and Native Americans.
It’s an old story, really. Over a hundred years ago, historian Charles Beard wrote that the Constitution was written by wealthy men to protect their…
Resources
What Remains of Thomas Jefferson?
Understanding the author of the Declaration of Independence means wrestling with his contradictory legacies as a visionary egalitarian and a racist slaveholder.
What Remains of Thomas Jefferson?
Understanding the author of the Declaration of Independence means wrestling with his contradictory legacies as a visionary egalitarian and a racist slaveholder.
What the national anthem means now
Gabe Kapler, manager of the San Francisco Giants, has said he won’t stand on the field for the national anthem until he feels “better about the direction of our country.” His statement inspired me to ask some Southern Californians about how they feel — and what they do — during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
4th of July facts and history: 10 facts about Fourth of July Independence Day celebrations
The first celebration in 1777 featured the first stars and stripes, as the Continental Congress passed a resolution creating America’s first official flag the month before the anniversary.
America’s Founders Were Scarily Young on July 4, 1776
If the leaders of the Revolutionary War birthed America, then America’s parents were young. Very young. When the nascent United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776, its youngest signer, Edward Rutledge from South Carolina, was just 26. But Rutledge wasn’t the only young face to join the battle against the British.
Fireworks Send Thousands of Americans to the ER Around the Fourth of July
Before you fire off a bunch of bottle rockets this July Fourth, spare a thought for your fingers, toes and other extremities. Injuries from fireworks send thousands of Americans to the emergency room around this time of year, new data shows.
It took over a decade for the Declaration of Independence to matter in American life, Stanford historian says
Two Stanford historians discuss how the United States’ Declaration of Independence became one of the pillars of American civic life and other lesser-known historical facts about what happened on July 4, 1776.
The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro
A speech given at Rochester, New York, July 5, 1852.
What’s So Patriotic About Cookouts?
Plus, what’s with all the hamburgers, frankfurters, and wieners? This is America!
Who Owns the Fourth of July?
Revising patriotism, the woke left spent last year tearing down monuments to revered Americans.
4th of July quiz! How well do you know Independence Day?
Test your knowledge of the 4th of July with this fun, interactive quiz.
Do we need to redefine the 4th of July?
So how can we, as a nation, honestly celebrate Independence day on July 4, knowing full well that not all people were going to be free when the Colonists won their independence?
“What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”
Frederick Douglass | July 5, 1852
America declared independence on July 2—so why is the 4th a holiday?
FIREWORKS, FLAGS, AND hot dogs: The Fourth of July is steeped in patriotism and tradition, and celebrated as the day disgruntled American colonists broke ties with Great Britain and declared their intention to found a democratic nation of their own. But the history behind the holiday isn’t so clear-cut. The anniversary of American independence is July 2, not July 4. And the revolutionaries who founded the nation didn’t guarantee all of its residents “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Are Fireworks Bad for the Environment? Here's What You Need to Know for July 4th
You have reef-safe sunscreen in your beach bag, a swimsuit made with recycled ocean plastic, and veggies ready to become kebabs on your BBQ. Looks like your July 4th is all sorted out. But don't forget about America's favorite Independence Day entertainment: fireworks. Are fireworks bad for the environment, or is it OK to join the American masses and set them off this 4th of July? Here's everything you need to know about fireworks and their impact on the Earth.
Are you ambivalent about celebrating July 4? You’re not alone
Ah, yes, the Fourth of July. Fireworks, friends and food, right? For many, absolutely. For others, not so much.
Let’s cancel the 4th of July this year
As America reckons with its shameful past and piteous present, perhaps we should just skip the fireworks and hot dogs of our most patriotic holiday and commit to doing better.
When the Fourth of July Was a Black Holiday
After the Civil War, African Americans in the South transformed Independence Day into a celebration of their newly won freedom.
Why Do We Celebrate July 4 With Fireworks?
The Independence Day tradition dates nearly as far back as the country's beginning and was proposed by one of the Founding Fathers.
Should We Celebrate The Fourth Of July Anymore?
As the sun starts to set on another Independence Day, the question arises whether the American experiment in self-government is going down with it.
10 Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July
But with all that history, you'd be forgiven if you didn't know quite everything about July 4. So from the true story behind the signing of the Declaration of Independence, to some staggering hot dog statistics, here are 10 things you might not know about the Fourth of July.
50 Perfect 4th of July Quotes to Celebrate America's Birthday
These patriotic and inspirational message will help you reflect on Independence Day.
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