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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing Article Summaries |
Simple Themes for Great Dreams
by Esther J. Perne The year was 1776. The colonists would celebrate with the firing of cannons and guns, with group dinners and toasts, and with impromptu public gatherings, especially outside military installations, to listen thankfully to the reading of a "declaration," voted by the Second Continental Congress that had been completed on July 4. They also held up in grateful memory those brave men from among them who had given their lives so that the word they all had dreamed of hearing — freedom — could be a reality. The year was 1777. The first organized celebration of the 4th of July took place. The location, fittingly, was Philadelphia, site of the First and Second Continental Congresses, the signing of the Declaration, the Constitutional Convention, and, subsequently, the capital of the United States, (1790-1800). There were cannon firings, again, and bells and dinner and music, but in addition there was also a parade, a grand display of fireworks, and decorations, especially on the boats in the harbor, in the new nation's colors — red, white, and blue. The year was 1781. The Massachusetts General Court became the first state legislature to recognize the 4th of July as a state celebration, affecting Maine, too, which was in those days a part of the Commonwealth. The year was 1788. The holiday started to become a platform for political activities, party picnics, and candidate speeches, and would remain so for several decades. 
The year was 1791. The name "Independence Day," the actual name of the holiday currently celebrated as the 4th of July, was first recorded. Lest it be forgotten, it was for independence, for the dream of freedom, and autonomy from the English monarchy that those 56 men from 13 colonies risked their lives and livelihoods to sign the Declaration of Independence. The year was 1829. The nine-year-old State of Maine, amid impressive ceremonies, celebrated the 4th of July with the laying of a cornerstone for the new State House in Augusta. Cornerstones and dedications were common for the celebration of the day, but Maine's observation was doubly significant. This beautiful state building was designed by Charles Bullfinch, who also designed part of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The year was 1870. The first Federal legislation was passed giving federal employees time off, without pay. The holiday sometimes gave them a long weekend; when the 4th fell on a Sunday, it was celebrated in most places on Monday. The year was 1931. Independence Day became a paid federal holiday often affording families the opportunity to celebrate together. The year was 1968. Congress passed the Monday Holiday Law. It moved Memorial Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and Washington's Birthday to the nearest Monday — but not Independence Day. The year is 2009. We will be reminded of history, including the reading of the original Declaration of Independence, through the celebrations at Old Fort Western in Augusta. We will be reminded of ongoing bravery and sacrifice in current wars abroad through the flyover of F-16 Fighter Jets in Winslow. We will be reminded how things do change as hundreds of runners, male and female, enter the 5K in Winthrop. And we will be reminded how they remain changeless as we enjoy, as we have since 1776, parades and picnics, decorations in red, white, and blue, children's activities, hot dogs, strawberry shortcake, ice cream, and fireworks — simple themes, that stand for great dreams. | ||