Friday, July 1, 2016

Go, Fourth! (And Have Fun)

Thought for the day: Every day is a rebirth, with new hope.  [author unknown]

[morguefile]

The 4th of July is right around the corner, so how about a rah-rah re-run post about that special day, when more than one and a half million hot dogs are typically consumed in the United States. (Erp! And not all by Smarticus and me, either...)

The following post originally ran on July 4, 2012 with the title Have a Bang-Up Day! But I'm gonna embellish it a bit with a handful of trivia tidbits at the end.

************* 




Thought for the day:  You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies dies from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.  [Erma Bombeck]


Happy 4th of July.

Didja hear what one flag said to another?

Give up?

Nothing. 

It just waved.






Cook-outs.  Parades.  Street parties.  Music.  Patriotic speeches.  Frisbee-throwing. Glorious booms of fireworks. That's what's gonna be happening all over the United States this weekend. Our little town here in Georgia will be holding an all-day street festival, followed by fireworks. Yes sirree, gonna be a real bang-up day.

                                                     Know what?  No matter WHERE you are in the world...



                                   I hope you have a super day! And to you guys way up north, Happy Canada Day!

                                                  Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.

Wait a minute! Not so fast. How about those trivia tidbits first?


  • John Adams thought America should celebrate her  independence on the second of July, because that's when the Second Continental Congress passed its resolution to declare independence.  He wrote to his wife Abigail: The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more. Oh well. So he was only half-right. Because July 4, 1776 is the date on the Declaration of Independence, all of those things Adams imagined have taken place... but a couple days later.  
  • Only two people... John Hancock, and Charles Thompson, the secretary of Congress... actually signed the Declaration on the fourth of July.  Everyone else signed on August second.  
  • Isn't it ironic that one of the songs the U.S. considers patriotic was first sung by British officers? What's more, they sang Yankee Doodle to make fun of the less-than-fashionable Americans cousins.
  • AND the National Anthem is sung to the tune of an old British drinking song.
  • In 1778, to mark the fourth, General George Washington gave his soldiers a double ration of rum, so in a way, those who drink a wee bit too much on the fourth are merely following a long tradition. 
  • Isn't it also ironic that most of the patriotic decorations and  U.S. flags we'll see waving on the fourth... were made in China? Ditto the fireworks. Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of pyrotechnics are imported from China every year to help us celebrate our most iconic American holiday.
  • One of the country's most famous 4th of July events is  Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, which has been held in Coney Island every year since 1916. Allegedly, the first contest was held to settle a dispute between four immigrants over which of them was the most patriotic. I guess the one most willing to puke for his country was the winner...?
  • The most continuous 4th of July celebration is a parade held in Bristol, Rhode Island, a tradition that began in 1785. (Those people sure know how to party!)
                                                       Okay, now I'm done. You can go eat a hot dog now.
                                                                  Take care of yourselves. And each other. 

51 comments:

  1. I ate two corndogs today and it's only June 30th. I'd say my patriotism is unimpeachable. Thanks for this most enjoyable and informative post, Susan. Have a happy fourtha!

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    1. Yum, I love corndogs. Yep, your patriotism is sealed in cornmeal. :)

      And a very happy fourth to you and your family, too. (Stay cool!)

      Delete
  2. A very happy fourth to you. And you can eat my share of hot dogs with my blessings. Bleah. Even when I ate meat I just couldn't face them.
    Fireworks on the other hand...

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    1. HA! I'm a little picky about hot dog quality, but around here, we call them "tube steaks."

      Smarticus is the real fireworks lover around here. I'm not a fan of the noise and smoke, but the visual? Awesome!

      Delete
  3. A hotdog? But my plate is full of pizza....
    Have a happy 4th.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, pizza sounds great! Much better than a hot dog. :)

      Thanks. You have a super weekend, too.

      Delete
  4. Adams wasn't so wrong. The second is often the day that the parade of cars takes to the highways and the beeping and shouting ensues. We love our three day holidays.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. That's true! Our highways are almost always a congested mess, but they were already beyond the norm yesterday. By tomorrow, when some areas are holding festivals, they'll be even worse.

      Delete
  5. I knew the signing one. lol China must love the 4th, as they make a bundle off of it. Hope a great long weekend is had at your pad!

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    1. Yeah, China manages to make a bundle off of most of our holidays. :)

      You have a super weekend, too.

      Delete
  6. fire up the grill, sip a cold one, and enjoy your weekend. Starting off a post with Erma Bombeck is always a winner. Stay safe and cool and have fun!!!

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    1. Sounds like a good plan to me! The staying cool part might be a bit challenging, but we'll do our best. You have a fantabulous weekend, too!

      Delete
  7. I enjoyed the trivia - and I especially love your good ol' fashioned 4th of July spirit.

    Rain is predicted for the 4th here in TN, but that won't dampen my enthusiasm. Hot dogs and watermelon are on the menu.
    Have a wonderful holiday weekend, Susan!

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    1. Thanks! Glad ya liked it.

      Hot dogs and watermelon sound just about perfect! (Have you tried the yellow watermelons yet? Reeeeeally sweet!)

      Delete
  8. Wishing EVERYBODY a happy 4th!!

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  9. Wow, John Adams sure knew how to party! Sports, guns, bonfires, games, fireworks - now that's my idea of a good time! Combined with alcohol, nothing terrible could ever come of that...

    Happy 4th (in advance)!

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    1. Yeah... what could possibly go wrong? Here, the big thing is for people to shoot guns... straight UP in the air. I mean, really? Haven't they learned about gravity yet???

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  10. We're having a cookout tomorrow, but I think we're having hamburgers instead of hot dogs. Hope you have a fun 4th! :)

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    1. (shhhh) We Probably aren't gonna have hot dogs, either. :)

      You have a super 4th, too!

      Delete
  11. Son brought me ribs from BrurshFire BBQ Company last night. Oh My Goodness so fabulous ! On the Fourth he will cook some streaks so all is ready down here !
    Happy Happy Fourth to you and your family.

    Wonderful post as always.
    cheers, parsnip and thehamish

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    1. Ribs and a good ribeye steak beat a hot dog any day. We steamed a mess of blue crabs tonight, and they were pretty doggone good, too.

      Cheers back atcha!

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    2. Way to break my heart... a pot full of crabs to nom nom on ? the only place that we could go to for crab, lobster or shrimp boil, just closed their doors ! why ? oh why ?
      bummer !

      Delete
    3. Sorrrrry! (NOT!) When we moved to Georgia from Maryland back in '71, fresh seafood was mighty hard to find, but now, we can buy live crabs and all kinds of other fresh seafood goodies as often as we'd like. Earlier in the week, I fixed snow crab legs, steamed shrimp, sausage, new potatoes and fresh corn... kinda like a party in a pot!

      Delete
  12. Happy 4th of July! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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    1. Thanks! YOU have a happy 4th, too. :)

      Greetings back atcha!

      Delete
  13. Happy Independence Day! I came home and my husband told me that a local TV station had sent a reporter to a shopping mall here in town, asking people what we celebrate on the 4th of July.

    One person knew the answer. (I don't know how many people they asked...) Just shaking my head.

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    1. Thanks! I hope you guys have a super weekend.

      UGH. That's kinda discouraging, isn't it?

      Delete
  14. I probably won't eat a hot dog, but I do have some steak tips to grill :) Happy Fourth to you!

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    1. Oh, steaks are muuuuuuch better! Happy Fourth to you, too.

      Delete
  15. Have a great weekend. The boys have it all planned out. My youngest even asking what my favorite is, Macaroni Salad or Potato Salad. He's so sweet and so determined to host this years event! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Isn't it AWESOME when our kids are the ones hosting US? I couldn't even tell you the last time I did all the cooking for Thanksgiving or Christmas. The first time, it felt strange, but now I love it. All I have to do is play with the grandkids. Suits me!

      Have a fantabulous weekend!

      Delete
  16. I’m extremely fortunate that the Fourth comes to me—orchestra, fireworks, flyovers, and food trucks, are all right outside my front door. Since I eat tube steaks a couple times a week (not because I like them but because they are c-h-e-a-p), I plan to celebrate Independence Day by having fried chicken—my favorite and way more American. :)

    Have a spectacular Holiday weekend!

    VR Barkowski

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    1. I'm guessing folks reeeeeally know how to celebrate the fourth up your way. Enjoy! Hmmm, chicken sounds good, too.

      You have a wonderful weekend, too.

      Delete
  17. Hard to believe it's July already. Hope you enjoy the 4th!

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    1. I know! The years are flying by faster and faster all the time.

      Hope you enjoy then 4th, too!

      Delete
  18. I'm in the mood for a veggie hot dog now. I look forward to the fireworks this Monday. Happy 4th.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I've had some really good veggie burgers before, but have never had a veggie dog. Now I'm curious...

      Enjoy the fireworks, and a very Happy Fourth to you, too.

      Delete
  19. Happy Fourth of July to you Susan... my oldest will be celebrating the day in Wisconsin... they do double duty with the kids xox

    I have loved my Canada day... I skipped the fireworks this year, it's quite the trip for a short display but I always enjoy seeing them on TV when I can too xox

    Have a great one and enjoy your hotdog too xox

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    1. I'm glad you had a good Canada Day. To tell the truth, I'd rather watch the fireworks on TV than put up with the heat, traffic, and big crowds. (I know. What an old party pooper.) Smarticus loves to watch them, so I told him we could go this year if he'd like. Now he's waiting to see how hot it's gonna be. (HOT!)

      Have a super weekend, Launna.

      Delete
  20. Love that quote by Erma Bombeck!
    July 4 was never a big holiday at my house ... daddy was always working. Nowadays, living in Phoenix the closest I want to get to fireworks and festivities is watching it on TV under the A/C vent!

    I hope you thoroughly enjoy all that is Americana!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Phoenix is a lot hotter than our Atlanta area, (But it's a "dry" heat, right? HA!) but it's plenty hot here, too. There's a lot to be said about watching the fireworks on TV in the air conditioned house. :)

      Delete
  21. Awesome quote! Happy 4th of July to you!

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  22. I am sooooo stealing that flag joke.
    And I liked hot-dog eating contests until I witnessed one. Gross.
    Thanks for the trivia.

    Hey Susan,,,is there a trick to commenting if I have a Wordpress account? I simply can't make it work anymore, so it lists me as Anonymous. Barb Froman

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    1. The very thought of a food-eating contest grosses me out, so I sure don't wanta watch one.

      Um, no it doesn't. It says you're you. :)

      Delete
  23. Well, nevermind...It worked that time. Grumble grumble. I'm not crazy, really. It's gone haywire before.

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    1. I know it went haywire the last time your commented here. I'm glad it seems to have straightened itself out, because I'm clueless as to how to go about fixing it. :)

      Delete
  24. LOL! At first I read that opening paragraph to say "when half a million dogs are consumed." My jaw dropped. I mean, it's not like you don't post strange things like that regularly, so I was fully ready to believe it until I reread the sentence. Hee hee. I hope you had an excellent 4th!

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    1. HA! Who... MOI post strange things...? (Um, yeah, ya got me...)

      We had a terrific fourth. I hope you did, too.

      Delete
  25. Hi, Susan...

    Hope you enjoyed your fourth~

    I had to laugh about what Crystal thought.LOL.

    Everything is made in China these days. Not sure what America makes now. Even some of our food is imported from China. Ridiculous to me...

    I wonder what George Washington would think about this country now. He couldn't stress enough that the US was/is a self sufficient country and needs nothing from any other... so true....

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    1. Hi-ya, Michael.

      We did, indeed, and I hope you did, too. Hope you're all settled into your new digs.

      Yeah, it is ridiculous. ESPECIALLY ridiculous is the amount of foods grown here and then processed in China to save the companies money. (I mean, seeing's as how China has such a "great" reputation for food safety and all...)

      I wonder what any of our founding fathers would think of the state of the country now.

      Delete