Posted by Brian (Cranky Yankee) C. on June 30, 2000 at 18:25:00:
July fourth is the day when most of us in the USA commemerate the
ideals of Rouseau, Locke, Smith, Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Henry,
Paine, etc., in our own personal way by cooking some meat on a
charcoal grill. Typically, citizens wear shorts and tank tops. The
ceremony is usually conducted in a backyard, at the beach, or often
the local swim club. Beer and soda often accompany a menu of
barbecued beans, coleslaw, Potato chips, steaks, hot dogs and
hambergers. Paper plates are popular. In many locales, public
fireworks displays are held for 2,3 or 4 days culminating in
a spectacular multi-million dollar event. In Boston, America's
cradle of Liberty. Minute men re-enact Paul Revere's ride and
the "shot heard 'round the world." The USS Constitution makes its
annual turn around cruise in Boston Ha'bah while crowds throng
at Waterfront Park within walking distance of Fan'l Hall, the
Old North Church, The Old South Meeting Place. A public outdoor
concert (televised nationally) is held on the banks of the Charles
across from lcs.mit.edu. Arthur Fiedler and John Williams are
gone now, but close to half a million people still swell the park
and sing along to America the Beautiful. Late in the evening
the fireworks rocket into the air. The incredible, pyrotechnic event
lasts almost an hour. Then, abruptly; it is over. Similar scenes
occur all over the country. It is easy to take so much for granted
in such a rich nation where all "men are born equal and endowed
by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these are
the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Happy Furth of July, everyone!