The Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July from the HolidayChicks.com.  It’s a gloriously beautiful day here in Southeastern, North Carolina.  We hope you are enjoying your day as much as we are.  
 
It wouldn’t be Independence Day here in the U.S. of A without a little history lesson.  But just a little one.  Most of you already know that the Founding Fathers got together in Independence Hall in Philadelphia to discuss our new country’s future, decide on our ‘mission statement’ (the decision was made on July 2, 1776) and then by the 4th it was unanimous and official.  A new country was born, much to the surprise of King George and all his cronies.  The colonies were fed up with being bossed around. 
 
We Americans have always been a randy bunch.  Starting a revolution and creating a new country was brazen but incredibly courageous.   So, really, Happy Independence Day! it was a battle well fought.  That big day in 1776 was just the start of many celebrations to come. 
 
*On July 4th, 1777 the 1st anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, there were two 13-gun salutes in Bristol, Rhode Island.  That same day Philadelphia hosted an official dinner for the Continental Congress.  There were also prayers, speeches, parades, music and ships decorated red, white and blue around the new, still quite small country. 
 
*1783- Massachusetts was the 1st state to recognize July 4th as a state celebration. 
 
*1791- the first recorded use of the name “Independence Day.”
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*1820- Eastport, Maine held the 1st official 4th of July celebration. It still remains the largest in the state. 
 
*1870 the US Congress made Independence Day an unpaid federal holiday, but in 1938 President Franklin D Roosevelt stepped it up and made it a PAID federal Holiday.  Whoo Hooo! 
 
Again, have a wonderful day.  Relax, and eat a hot dog or hamburger.  Cut up a watermelon and get messy, then jump in the pool or hose everyone off.  It’s a great day to celebrate with friends and family.  This year 2020 it’s much quieter, but it’s still a happy, fun filled summer holiday.  Celebrate our nation but be careful.  Remember all the social distancing rules and if you are in public wear a mask.  Most towns won’t be having public fireworks but there will be great ones on television.  Have fun and be proud- that’s what July 4th is all about.  Happy celebrating from the HolidayChicks.com

​- Monika