Fourth of July 2024
Celebrate an American tradition
By Christina Reed
The Hired Pen
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, 1776
Eastern Sierra, CA—It was not until August 2, 1776, after the Continental Congress delegates had signed the Declaration of Independence, that our independence was assured. Officially, the United States of America should celebrate in August…however, much of the work for our independence came in July, when the Second Continental Congress voted for its independence from Britain. On July 4, 1776, our Congress approved the final and important draft for the Declaration of Independence. This document was drafted by Thomas Jefferson (in June of 1776), and ultimately edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. The importance of getting copies (about 200) of the Declaration of Independence into circulation, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, rested with John Dunlap, and his newspaper was dated July 4, 1776. Eventually, all 13 colonies were able to read about it, and later in the summer, the delegates made the document official.
Ways to Celebrate
Free Fishing Day, Saturday, July 6, dawn to dusk.
Raise the Flag.
Play games in the cool grass of a back yard. Go barefoot!
Attend a fireworks display.
Barbecue some ribs.
Make a red, white, and blue cheesecake, and chill.
Grill some corn, chicken, and bring on the mac ‘n cheese.
Save room for brownies, watermelon, and save more room for pie or cobbler.
Drink lots of lemonade, or sweet tea.
There are discounts available: Subway, El Pollo Loco, Jack in the Box, Starbucks all have some promos going for the Fourth of July. Military discounts at Bass Pro Shops, Coleman, Columbia, and REI.
¡Enhorabuena!