Independence Day Celebrations in History
Independence Day is known nationally as a day spent with family and friends celebrating America’s independence with cookouts and fireworks. Let’s take a look at what Independence Day celebrations looked like in times past.
On July 4, 1777, thirteen gunshots in salute of the day were made twice in Bristol, Rhode Island. Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary in similar fashion as today, having an official dinner for the Continental Congress, 13-gun salutes, parades, and fireworks. In 1778, George Washington celebrated the 4th of July by giving his men double rum rations and giving an artillery salute. At the same time, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams held a dinner for their fellow Americans in France.
Moravians in Salem, North Carolina, held a celebration of July 4 with a music program assembled by Johann Friedrich Peter where a piece of music known as “The Psalm of Joy” was played in 1783. Two years later, the Fourth of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island was started and is still held annually. It is the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States. Since 1868, Seward, Nebraska has held celebrations in town square—a town of 6,000, it swells to over 40,000 during the celebrations. In 1979, Seward was given the title of “America’s Official Fourth of July City-Small Town USA” in a resolution of Congress.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, began in 1972 and still happens on July 4 each year. The famous Macy’s fireworks display usually held over the East River has been occurring every year since 1976 and is televised nationally. Since 1970, the annual 10 kilometer Peachtree Road Race is held in Atlanta, Georgia. “A Capitol Fourth” is a free concert held on the Capitol lawn in Washington, D.C and precedes a fireworks display, attracting over half a million people annually. For other interesting facts, visit 4th of July by the Numbers at https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th/interactives/4th-of-july-by-the-numbers.
Celebrating Independence Day on the 4th of July can be felt from coast to coast in America. Not only do we celebrate our freedoms while watching the beautiful explosion of colors as fireworks light up the night sky, we remember those who sacrificed so much to ensure liberty and justice for all is this “One Nation Under God.”
