The strong spirit of patriotism rings at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall year round, but for me, transitioning from an intern to a contractor at Army Community Service has only increased my patriotic spirit. In that vain, I set off to learn some of the unusual facts that surround our nation’s Independence Day. I know who sewed the first flag (Betsy Ross), and I know who wrote the Star Spangled Banner(Francis Scott Key), but I wanted to learn the “unknown” facts…the interesting tidbits that make up our nation’s rituals and traditions that surround the 4th of July, Independence Day.
Wait the 4th of July? Or is it the 2nd of July?
Did you know that…the real legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies occurred on July 2, 1776, was written by Congress as the Declaration of Independence, and was finally approved on July 4. Americans celebrate independence on July 4, 1776 but it was voted upon by Congress on July 2.
Best friends forever!
Did you know that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, best friends, signers of the Declaration of Independence, and later to serve as Presidents of the United States both died on the same day, July 4, 1826?
A third President, James Monroe, also a Founding Father died on July 4, 1872.
The only president to be born on the 4th of July was Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States.
Here are some more fun facts:
* Held since 1785, the Bristol Fourth of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island is the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States.
* Since 1916, Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City supposedly started as a way to settle a dispute among four immigrants as to who was the most patriotic.
* On the Capitol lawn in Washington, D.C., "A Capitol Fourth", a free concert, precedes the fireworks and attracts over half a million people annually.
As we appreciate the freedoms we share as Americans, please do not forget to thank your active duty, retired, reserve or veteran friends, neighbors or family members this holiday. Our lives would look different without their courageous spirit!
If you are interested in finding out about fun events and activities in your area to celebrate “the Red, White and Blue," please feel free to contact Army Community Service (703-696-3510) or FMWR here at JBM-HH: http://www.jbmhhmwr.com/
And of course, for a wonderful viewing of the “bombs bursting in air” (aka fireworks) please feel free to join the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall community at Whipple Field Thursday, which will be open to Department of Defense ID cardholders, their families and guests to view the national fireworks. The field, on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base, will open at 5 p.m., and the fireworks are set to begin at about 9:15 p.m. The U.S. Army Band’s Downrange will play from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Bring your blanket or chair, sit on the field and get one of the best views of the fireworks in town. For more information, call 703-696-3291.
If you have blog topics you’d like covered or have questions, feel free to give us feedback! You’re welcome to comment on this blog and if you’re interested, you can subscribe!
No comments:
Post a Comment