The only state that does not have a national park, seashore, battlefield, memorials or monument is Delaware. This is interesting since the state is steeped in history, having been one of the thirteen colonies during the Revolutionary War and the first state to ratify the United States Constitution. Long story short, if you’re looking to find a job with the National Park Services in Delaware, look elsewhere.
On May 4, 1776, the colony of Rhode Island declared its independence from England, becoming the first of the original thirteen colonies to do so. However, Rhode Island was the last of the original colonies to become a state when it ratified the United States Constitution on May 29, 1790.
Small Town, U.S.A. (Photo by Zim)
I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July! It’s one of my favorite holidays. Whether it’s the flag-lined streets, the abundance of red, white and blue, fireworks or the overall patriotic sentiment, it’s also a good time to think about all those serving overseas and their families, both now and in the past, and to remember that our freedom was far from cheap. Additionally, I think it’s a good time to remember that America was founded not just on those fighting but also on the working class. On the farmers, teachers, truck drivers, factory workers, secretaries, gas station attendants, nurses, etc…. Those that put food on our plates, technology in our hands and bandages on our skinned knees as well as those fighting on the country’s behalf. America is the “Land of the Free” because farmers picked up pitchforks to defend it. The ideals that we defend so adamantly today. This day marks the anniversary of the Second Continental Congress’ adoption of The Declaration of Independence. That document holds some of the famous and well-known words ever written. Words that still resonate in the hearts of all Americans and I hope that as you celebrate today, you feel as lucky as I feel about living in the “Land of the Free.”
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Fourth of July Fun Facts in a Flash
“The Star-Spangled Banner” was actually a poem – Francis Key Scott wrote the poem after the War of 1812. Only later were his words put to music, and then in 1931, the song became our national anthem.
Three of our founding fathers died on July 4. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson passed away in 1826 on the 50th anniversary of our independence. Five years later, James Monroe died on the same day.
The United States Congress made the Fourth a federal holiday in 1870.
Ben Franklin wanted a turkey as the U.S. animal stating that it was a “bird of courage.” However, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson outvoted him and chose the bald eagle.
Before hot dogs became the popular food, the go to summertime specialty was turtle soup. It was a must-have on any July 4 menu in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Philadelphia held the first large-scale public display of fireworks in honor of our independence in 1777. Fireworks originated in tenth-century China, when a cook mistakenly added various chemicals together. What resulted was the first man-made explosion of sparks.
In 1776, 2.5 million people lived in the United States. Since then, the population has grown to more than 313 million. The Census Bureau projects that 439 million Americans will celebrate July 4 in 2050.
Declaration of Independence Pop Quiz:
It’s the newspaper in which George Washington placed an ad to lease part of his Mount Vernon land.It’s where Noah Webster’s “Blue-Backed Speller” was first published.Thomas Jefferson sued this newspaper for libel – and lost.And Mark Twain tried to buy stock in this paper but his offer was turned down.
“The Hartford Courant” is the oldest, continuously published newspaper in the United States. Printer Thomas Green started the weekly paper in 1764 and the first issue was released on October 29, 1764. To keep within the context of the time, this Connecticut paper was established 24 years before Connecticut became a state and before the United States declared, and was recognized as, a country.
“The Hartford Courant” stayed an independent paper until 1979 when Times Mirror, the Los Angeles Times’ parent company, bought it.
[Zim's Note: There has been some controversy over the claim of "The Courant" being the oldest newspaper. "The New Hampshire Gazette" is a bi-weekly newspaper that began in 1756 and has since trademarked the phrase "The Nation's Oldest Newspaper." The problem with "The Gazette" is that over time it has not been continuously published. There have been periods of time when "The Gazette" seemingly disappeared only to reemerge later, probably due to the numerous times it changed ownership.]
An old photo of Boston Light
Boston Light became the first lighthouse established in America when it was first lit on September 14, 1716. Situated on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor, it was the last lighthouse to become automated in 1998.
In 1718 Benjamin Franklin, a young Boston printer at that time, wrote a ballad called “Lighthouse Tragedy.” The ballad was about Boston Light’s first keeper, George Worthylake, who drowned when the lighthouse boat carrying him, his wife and daughter and two other men, capsized in the harbor.
During the Revolutionary War, Boston Harbor was under British control and the lighthouse was not in use. American troops, by orders of General Washington, sought to destroy the lighthouse so the British could not use it to help navigate British ships into the harbor. On June 13, 1776, Boston Light was destroyed.
The Massachusetts Legislature approved funds to rebuild the Boston Light in 1783.
As a security measure during World War II, the lighthouse stayed unlit until July 2, 1945. Then, it was equipped with enough candlepower light that was visible for 16 miles.
Next to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in New Jersey, Boston Light is the second oldest working lighthouse.
Boston Light is the only lighthouse that still employs an official keeper.
Further Reading
United States Coast Guard website.
Boston Lighthouse History, Page 1, Page 2.
Boston Light photo.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin played a pivotal role in the founding of this country, but he was a lot more than just a figurehead for colonial revolution.
“In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes”
[Information found at pbs.org, photo via America's Library]
John Adams, the second president of the United States
John Adams died on July 4, 1826.
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States
Thomas Jefferson also died on July 4, 1826, just hours before Adams.
James Monroe died five years later on July 4, 1831.
James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States
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