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Celebrating the Fourth: Some History

July 10, 2019 by Liz Covart 1 Comment

ben_franklins_worldIt wasn’t always fireworks on the fourth.

John Adams predicted Americans would celebrate the Second of July, the day Congress voted in favor of independence, “with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of the Continent to the other.” He got the date wrong, but he was right about the festivities in commemoration of Independence Day. And yet July Fourth events have changed a great deal since 1776.

How do our fireworks displays, barbecues, parades, and sporting events compare to the first and earliest celebrations of independence? How and why do we celebrate the United States and its independence as we do?

In this episode of Ben Franklin’s World, historical experts Benjamin E. Park, Jay Hinesley, and Shira Lurie take us through the early American origins of Fourth of July celebration.

You can listen to the podcast here.

Ben Franklin’s World is an award-winning podcast. It’s for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our world. Each episode features an interview with a historian who shares their unique insights into our early American past. It is a production of the Omohundro Institute.

You are seeing this podcast announcement courtesy of The New York History Blog. For a full list of this week’s podcasts click HERE.  And while you’re here – we rely on small contributions from readers like you to publish news and information about history in New York York State.  Make a contribution now at our fundraising page at https://rally.org/f/4LBVKo9zYjO or send a check to: New York History Blog, 7269 State Route 9, Chestertown, NY 12817.

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Filed Under: History Tagged With: Declaration of Independence, Early America, Early American History, Fourth of July, Holidays, Independence Day, Military History, Podcasts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. James Kaplan says

    July 11, 2019 at 7:23 AM

    We had a fabulous July 4 parade in Lower Manhattan. See attached video or check our website http://www.lmha-nyc.org
    Preview YouTube video Lower Manhattan Historical Association – 2019 July 4th Parade

    Lower Manhattan Historical Association – 2019 July 4th Parade
    James S. Kaplan
    President Lower Manhattan Historical Association

    Reply

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