Up here in North Georgia there is a variety of things to do to celebrate our national holiday. Known as Independence Day or The Fourth of July, it took Congress almost 100 years to declare it a national holiday. However, celebrations started almost immediately, the first of record being a sermon in 1777 before the General Court of Massachusetts.
Celebrations and everything you would ever want to know, and more, have been cataloged by James Heintze in “The Fourth of July Encyclopedia” [sold by Amazon for $75]. You can get it for free at www.american.edu/Heintze/fourth.htm
Celebrations and everything you would ever want to know, and more, have been cataloged by James Heintze in “The Fourth of July Encyclopedia” [sold by Amazon for $75]. You can get it for free at www.american.edu/Heintze/fourth.htm
The most bizarre was a celebration years ago in Indianapolis where two locomotives raced on the same track and crashed head on at full speed. Sorry we missed that one.
We’ll miss a few more here in north Georgia. Just 15 miles from here in Helen GA, for example, there is a watermelon seed spitting contest. About 25 miles away in Dahlonega GA, there is a grape-stomping contest. Just ten miles north on Hwy. 129, there is a bicycle parade and sand-castle building contest. Sorry, our choice was the golf-cart parade in Paradise Valley where, we are told, people go all out, decorating their favorite form of transportation-- golf carts -- within the park. Over 10 carts participated and no expense under $10 is spared to decorate.
Lois and I watched the Wimbledon men’s semi-finals where Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal each finished off their opponents in straight sets. They will meet for the championship on Sunday. Nadal last defeated Federer for the French Open championship about a month ago.
One of our close friends in Bradenton called to tell us that Bob, her husband(83), will have open heart surgery next Wednesday. Bob is healthy and should come through very well. We worked together on a disaster-relief mission in Nicaragua eight years ago. Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Bob.
Historical Note: The Continental Congress voted on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia to declare the independence of the 13 American colonies from England. The draft document, written by Thomas Jefferson, had been revised in committee before the vote took place. Because of the gravity of the situation, it was decided that signatures of those voting should be affixed to the document, to demonstrate authenticity to King George IV and to prevent a change of heart later. The first signature was placed on the document on August 2, 1776, and the process took several months because the document was traveled up and down the eastern seaboard after the Continental Congress had adjourned. The practice of signing acts of congress has long disappeared and members’ votes are a matter of public record without signatures.
We’ll miss a few more here in north Georgia. Just 15 miles from here in Helen GA, for example, there is a watermelon seed spitting contest. About 25 miles away in Dahlonega GA, there is a grape-stomping contest. Just ten miles north on Hwy. 129, there is a bicycle parade and sand-castle building contest. Sorry, our choice was the golf-cart parade in Paradise Valley where, we are told, people go all out, decorating their favorite form of transportation-- golf carts -- within the park. Over 10 carts participated and no expense under $10 is spared to decorate.
Lois and I watched the Wimbledon men’s semi-finals where Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal each finished off their opponents in straight sets. They will meet for the championship on Sunday. Nadal last defeated Federer for the French Open championship about a month ago.
One of our close friends in Bradenton called to tell us that Bob, her husband(83), will have open heart surgery next Wednesday. Bob is healthy and should come through very well. We worked together on a disaster-relief mission in Nicaragua eight years ago. Our prayers and thoughts are with you, Bob.
Historical Note: The Continental Congress voted on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia to declare the independence of the 13 American colonies from England. The draft document, written by Thomas Jefferson, had been revised in committee before the vote took place. Because of the gravity of the situation, it was decided that signatures of those voting should be affixed to the document, to demonstrate authenticity to King George IV and to prevent a change of heart later. The first signature was placed on the document on August 2, 1776, and the process took several months because the document was traveled up and down the eastern seaboard after the Continental Congress had adjourned. The practice of signing acts of congress has long disappeared and members’ votes are a matter of public record without signatures.
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