Fireworks over the Capital. Photo By Matthew Straubmuller
July 3, 2014 (Scottsdale, AZ)
Each July Fourth, we celebrate as a nation, with fabulous fireworks shows, family backyard barbeques, parades, with the display flags and unite as a country. It all began back in 1776. The Continental Congress voted for the 13 colonies to gain their independence from Great Britain and the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776.
The First Celebrations
When the Declaration of Independence was recited in small towns and settlements, the crowds roared and cheered, fired pistols rang bells, lighted candles and set off firecrackers. The initial celebrations seem a lot like today’s fun festivities. The Revolutionary War went on from 1775 to 1783. In 1783 peace negotiations started and the Treaty of Paris finally ended the War.
Today’s Fun and Celebrations
Today’s Fourth of July celebrations draw big crowds to historic cities like Boston and Philadelphia. The Boston Pops Orchestra plays a concert along the banks of the Charleston River, where large crowds gather. The event is spectacular, complete with an amazing fireworks show, the orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, Stars and Stripes Forever and other traditional July Fourth music. In Philadelphia, the Declaration of Independence is read aloud at Independence Hall. In Washington D.C. there’s a spectacular parade, followed by a fireworks show at the Washington Monument. The monuments in the background of this amazing fireworks display, lend a patriotic feel.
All around the nation, families gather to picnic and barbeque with friends and loved ones, play games and watch fireworks together in the evening. July Fourth reminds us how lucky we are to live in a free country, where you have the opportunity to fulfill your dreams, no matter how big.
From all of us at Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance, “Happy Birthday America!”
