- By Barbara Warkentien -
In school we were taught almost reverently the significance of "...all men are created equal..." the simple, yet powerful proclamation of the Declaration of Independence. We were told that this brazen confrontation of a powerful monarch by his subjects was not only unheard of; but that through the ages, it has formed the basis of our government and has become an inspiration for freedom-seekers around the world.
After the signing, church bells rang out in Philadelphia and throughout the colonies as people learned of this courageous document which brought them hope that relief from taxation and other grievances would be achieved—a very real reason to celebrate.
The idea of having a full fledged party to celebrate the Fourth of July was the idea of one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence. Surprisingly, it was not the brain child of the witty, bon vivant, Benjamin Franklin, nor the dashing, Southern gentleman, Thomas Jefferson. It was instead the rather dour, New Englander, John Adams, who was ready "to party" the day and night away. In a letter to his wife, Abigail, he wrote that the Fourth of July "...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..."
Ever since, we Americans have been doing our best to live up to his wishes. In Philadelphia's Independence Hall, originally, the Pennsylvania State House, the Declaration is read each year with much pomp. In Boston's harbor, ships sail with flags waving proudly; and throughout the land, Americans parade, play games, eat heartily, ignite fireworks and celebrate with gusto. John Adams would be proud!
As we again joyfully celebrate, it is well to consider the total commitment made by the fifty-six signers as expressed in the last lines of the Declaration of Independence: "...we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." For a few their binding pledge brought fame. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson became president, while Benjamin Franklin served as ambassador to France. Sadly, the now forgotten majority faced devastating loss. Some saw their lands ravaged and their homes burned. Others suffered capture, torture and death by the British. Many were impoverished and/or died in the Revolutionary War.
Today, we remember with pride and gratitude that magnificent document and the signers' sacrifices. We pay tribute to their courage and honor their memory. Most important, we can add our own pledge to secure the truths of the Declaration of Independence to our posterity this July 4, 2010.
Several UVTO residents have graciously shared their memories.
For
Iris Wilkins in upstate New York, the Fourth began with a solemn ceremony and pledge of allegiance as her father raised their flag. Then it was on to the parade, followed by an all male softball game—no gals allowed, good food, the band concert, and ending with sparklers and fireworks in the backyard. Iris recalls one less desirable ritual—the frantic search for newspapers to shield her head from the inevitable holiday rain shower.
In Maryland,
John O'Donoghue's introduction to Fourth of July fireworks came on a visit to his Grandmother, when he was about eight years old. There, his bachelor uncle let the cousins be boys, freeing them to do things their parents and grandmother would never have allowed. He gave them play "mortars," which provided a perfect fit for small green apples that when powered by fire-crackers became excellent projectiles. The cousins engaged in warfare. If one got hit, it would sting like crazy, but not one of them ever let their grandmother know. Such fun!
Each July 4, patriotic songs and marches, played by the town band resonated throughout the small Massachusetts town, where
Arlene Bradley lived. Community fireworks lit up the sky from a central hilltop. Since, at that time, it was still legal to buy personal fireworks, Arlene together with her family and friends had their own backyard display complete with sparklers, which the children delighted in waving in the darkness. Later in Reseda, California, Arlene stayed home to comfort the dogs, panicked by the fireworks, while her family enjoyed the show from the park.
July 4, 1976, found
Bill Marshall and his extended family in Washington D.C., being part of the of the grand Bi-Centennial Celebration of Independence Day. At the Reflection Pool, they watched the spectacular fireworks and honored the birthday of our country.
Diane Allen and her family spent many years taking the boat out to the center of Lake Tahoe to watch spectacular fireworks set to music provided by the local casinos. Gradually, so many boats joined the group that it became almost as congested as a freeway, and Diane decided to watch the fireworks from shore.
Independence Day in
Priscilla Keitel's small Ohio town began early morning with the lighting of various firecrackers, fountains, ladyfingers and sparklers in her backyard. Then it was on to the parade featuring decorated bicycles, pets, bands, etc. Afterwards, the youth spent the afternoon at the Country Club—swimming, canoeing, playing tennis or just lazing around. Later there was a large picnic by the side of the lake. After dark, fireworks were set off on an island in the middle of the lake. When they saw the gigantic American flag shot into the sky, everyone knew that the show was over. But not to despair, one last event awaited—the big dance at the Clubhouse open to all.
Loren Scott remembers with appreciation the respect shown the flag in his Iowa town's annual Fourth of July parade. When the flag passed by, all stood; men and boys removed their hats, and everyone placed his hand on his heart in solemn tribute to the American flag, symbol of liberty and freedom. After that it was time to play, culminating in shooting off their legally purchased fireworks in the backyard.