Tuesday, July 3, 2012

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY 2012

TO MY AMERICAN COUSINS “!”
In 1780 Massachusetts’s patriot John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, outlining his vision of how American culture might evolve:
"I must study politics and war," he prophesied so "that our sons and daughters may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy." They will add to their studies geography, navigation, commerce and agriculture. He continued, so that their children may enjoy the "right to study painting, poetry & music"

TEN SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT THE 4TH OF JULY:
Everyone loves Independence Day, the quintessential American holiday, full of parades, picnics, and surprising
facts? You bet! Be the life of the party share a few of these tasty nuggets of knowledge with your fellow picnickers this year.
1. Independence Day commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. However, it was not declared a legal holiday until 1941.
2. The signing of the declaration was not completed until August 1776, the Fourth of July holiday has been
accepted as the official anniversary of U.S. independence.
3. Uncle Sam was first popularized during the War of 1812, when the term appeared on supply containers. Believe it or not, the U. S. Congress didn't adopt him as a national symbol until 1961.
4. There are many precise rules for taking care of the American flag. And speaking of flag traditions, we're sorry to report that contrary to legend, historical research has failed to confirm that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag.
5. Not all members of the Continental Congress supported a formal Declaration of Independence, but those who did were passionate about it. One representative rode 80 miles by horseback to reach
Philadelphia and break a tie vote in support of independence.
6. The first two versions of the Liberty Bell were defective and had to be melted down and recast. The third version rang every Fourth of July from 1778 to 1835, when, according to tradition, it cracked as it was being tolled for the death of Chief Justice John Marshall.
7. The American national anthem, the "Star-Spangled
Banner" is set to the tune the English song ("To Anacreon in Heaven").
8. The iron framework of the Statue of Liberty was devised by French engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, who also built the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
9. The patriotic poem "America the Beautiful" was
published on July 4, 1895 by Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates*.
10. Father of the country and architect of independence George Washington held his first public office at the tender age of 17. He continued in public service until his death in 1799.

Again, Happy 4th of July, 2012!!!
from your Canadian Cousin - Sir Richard...

No comments: