The true meaning of the 4th of July

By Eva Wells | Manor Ink

What do tea, taxes and King George III of Great Britain have to do with the 4th of July celebration? King George III taxed tea for American colonies to pay for the French-Indian war. The American revolutionaries retaliated by throwing “The Boston Tea Party.” That was the beginning of the fight for independence!

On July 4th of 1776 the draft of the Declaration of Independence was approved by The Second Continental Congress. Since then, for 250 years, we have been celebrating this day as the birthday of America!

On July 3rd 1776 John Adams wrote to his wife that Americans should commemorate this day with “pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations.” To this day, fireworks are an important part of the holiday. The booming sound and the dazzling light of fireworks seem to honor the image of the National Anthem’s “the rockets’ red glare.”

The colors of the flag are especially popular during the 4th of July. Red represents valor and bravery, white stands for purity and the meaning of blue is perseverance and justice. Traditional 4th of July foods are hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, corn on the cob, baked beans, watermelon and pie. The foods fit the summer season, use historically native crops and celebrates the cultural influences of American immigrants. According to legend, immigrants held the first hotdog eating contest on July 4, 1916, to determine who was the most patriotic. Nathan’s Famous, makers of hotdogs, marketed the contest, supporting yet another important American tradition – entrepreneurship. Barbecue also is American, and corn is a crop Native Americans consumed. Watermelons were common throughout the American South.

A few curious facts. Three presidents have died on the 4th of July – John Adams, James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson, who drafted the Declaration of Independence, and Adams both died on the 50th anniversary of the United States.

Manor Ink wishes all our readers a happy 250th birthday. Here’s to 250 more years of democracy!

Independence day celebrations

• A Patriotic Ceremony of the Courts, Thursday, July 2; noon. A reading of portions of the Declaration of Independence followed by commentary by members of the Sullivan County bench and other speakers. Refreshments will be provided. Sullivan County Courthouse lawn, Broadway, Monticello.

• Village of Liberty, Saturday, July 4; 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. A street fair on Main Street will feature an Independence Day parade, food, craft vendors, music and entertainment, with fireworks at dusk. The rain date will be Sunday, July 5.

• Fireworks Show, Saturday, July 4; 9 p.m. A dazzling display of fireworks, free for the whole family. Concord Commons, 555 Resorts World Dr., Monticello.

• Fireworks Display, Saturday, July 4; 9 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk and can be seen from Miller Road and other vantage points around the Villa Roma, 356 Villa Roma Road, Callicoon.

• Fireworks and Drones Show, Saturday, July 11; 6-9 p.m. Hosted by the Town of Mamakating at the Wurtsboro Airport, 50 Barone Road, the evening will feature food trucks, music and pyrotechnics.