Sunday Political Brunch - July 4th Trivia
Sunday, July 02, 2017
Mark Curtis, GoLocalProv Contributor
It is the long Fourth of July weekend, so we we’ll dispense with the serious politics today. Instead, we’ll share some fun facts and trivia about our country’s birthday and heritage. I first published this on July 4, 2013, and it's one of my most popular columns! Enjoy!
“Double Vision” – Not only did both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson sign the Declaration of Independence, they both also later became President of the United States. But the most interesting coincidence they shared is that they both died within hours of each other on July 4th, 1826. The two were bitter rivals, who did not like each other at all. Legend has it that Adams's last words were, “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” But it wasn’t true. His archrival beat him to the punch, having died five hours before Adams.
“Three's a Crowd?” – Oddly enough, Adams and Jefferson were not the only Presidents to die on the 4th of July. James Monroe, our nation’s fifth President, died on July 4, 1831. So the second, third, and fifth Presidents all died on the 4th, and all are counted among our "Founding Fathers.” What are the odds?
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“Happy 2nd of July!” – In truth, the Declaration of Independence was actually approved on July 2, 1776, but was not published in the newspaper until July 4. John Adams still wanted all the celebrations on the 2nd, but was overruled.
“A Signature Moment” – Everyone knows John Hancock’s famous bold signature. In truth, he was the first and only one actually to sign the document on July 4th. It took another month to collect the signatures of the other 56 people who approved it.
“Around the Globe” – July 4th is not just a tradition in the U.S. People have celebrated it, in one way or another, on every continent. In 1934, American explorer Richard Byrd and his crew set off fireworks in Antarctica, even though it was 34 degrees below zero!
“Paint the Town Green!” – For many of the early years, red, white and blue were not the tradition. Colored fabric was rare and expensive in the early days of our nation, so there weren’t many flags. Instead people used greenery to decorate their homes and towns in celebration.
“Happy Birthday, America, and…” – The nation may celebrate its birthday on the Fourth of July, but also born on July 4th were our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge, and former "First Daughter," Malia Obama.
“God Bless…Kate Smith?” – Famed songwriter Irving Berlin wrote “God Bless America” for a play he was scoring in 1918, but the tune was dropped from the production. It sat on his shelf collecting dust for the next 20 years. In 1938, singer Kate Smith asked Berlin if he had any patriotic songs she could sing for Armistice Day (now Veterans Day). Berlin handed her “God Bless America! The rest, they say, is history!
As always, I welcome your thoughts! Click the comment button at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com.
Related Slideshow: 25 Things to Do in RI July 4th Week - 2017
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July 1
Independence Rhode Race at Independence Park
Bristol
The Bristol Independence Rhode Race will be held on Saturday beginning at 6 a.m. and ending around 10 a.m.
The race will follow the Bristol Streets during the Oldest 4th of July Celebration in America.
The course includes historic homes, a town common and the America’s Cup Museum before heading out along the coastline, through Colt State Park and finishing along the water at Independence Park.
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July 1
Steve Smith & the Nakeds at Bristol 4th of July Concert Series
Bristol
Steve Smith and the Nakeds will play at the Bristol 4th of July Concert Series on Saturday, July 1 at 7 p.m.
The band has been together for over 40 years, touring throughout the U.S. and Canada.
They have been featured on television, appearing on MTV’s video countdown program “The Basement Tapes”, and the title track for their CD,” I’m Huge” gained notoriety by being included on the Fox TV season 6 Family Guy DVD box set.
Other Bristol 4th of July concert Series performances include "Change in Latitudes" on Juy 2 and "Sixwire" on July 3.
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July 1
Visit The Museum of Work & Culture
Woonsocket
Starting at 1 p.m. take a one-mile walking tour along the banks of the Blackstone River and Main Street.
Tour guides will explain how the river influenced the birth of the Industrial Revolution and how the mills impacted the environment.
Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens and includes complimentary admission to the Museum.
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July 1
Hike at Browning Woods Trail
South Kingstown
Take a relaxing hike at Browning Woods Trail before the July 4 celebations begin.
Hikes range from one to three-miles through a pine and oak forested area with stone walls.
Kids and leashed dogs welcome.
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July 1 -3
Fireworks at McCoy Stadium Following PawSox Games
Pawtucket
The Pawtucket Red Sox are at home for a four game series against first place Scranton Wilkes-Barre.
The series started on Friday, June 30 and concludes Monday, July 3.
There wil be a fireworks display following each game starting on July 1 through July 3.
Head to McCoy and catch some great baseball, then stick around for fireworks.
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July 3
Warwick Fireworks
Warwick
Warwick will host their annual fireworks display at the Oakland Beach seawall on Monday, July 3. The show will start at 9 p.m.
If you can't make it to the seawall, the fireworks can also be seen from City Park.
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July 3
Scituate fireworks Display at Hope Jackson Fire Station at Hope Park
Scituate
Starting at 5 p.m., enjoy some clam cakes, burgers, hot dogs, drinks, and free chowder.
Activities for the kids include a bounce house, face painting, shrine clowns, balloon animals, temporary tattoos, smoke trailer, glow-sticks and more.
Fireworks start at sundown.
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July 3
North Providence Fireworks
North Providence
Fireworks will be shot off from Governor Notte Park in North Providence at 9 p.m.
Prior to the Fireworks, there will be a food court and live entertainment starting at 6 p.m.
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July 4
City of Newport Independence Day Celebration
Newport
Newport's annual fourth of July celebration kicks off at 9 a.m. with a salute to William Ellery, Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Rhode Island.
That will be followed at 10 a.m. by a patriotic band concert by the Newport Community Band at Salve Regina University.
At 11:00 a.m., the 142nd annual reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place on the steps of the Old Colony House, recreating the original reading by Major John Handy in 1776 and again 50 years later in 1876.
At noon a 21 gun salute celebrating the Nation’s birthday will be performed by the Artillery Company of Newport using four original cannons cast by Paul Revere in 1798.
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July 4
Bristol 4th of July Parade
Bristol
Bristol is home to the country's oldest 4th of July Parade. This year will be the 232nd consecutive celebration which began in 1785.
The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Chestnut Street and Hope Street and will end on High Street, between State Street and Bradford Street.
PHOTO: H.C. Williams/flickr
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July 4
Providence Fireworks at India Point Park
Providence
The celebration at India Point park will include live music from the Navy Band Northeast, a taste of Providence’s culinary scene, a bike parade, and some of the best fireworks in the state.
The event goes from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public.
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July 4
91st Ancients and Horribles Parade
Glocester
Watch as locals come together and spoof local and national politics.
This is the 91st annual parade and it is something completely different than a normal parade. You will be impressed.
The Parade is set to step off at 4 p.m.
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July 4
Arnold Mills July 4 Parade
Cumberland
The Arnold Mills Parade has been entertaining Rhode Islanders since 1927.
The event starts with a road race at 9 a.m. followed by the parade at 11 a.m.
The theme for this year's parade is: "Stars and Stripes Forever."
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July 4
Misquamicut Fireworks
Westerly
Misquamicut Beach in Westerly will host their annual firework display starting at 9 p.m. on Independence day.
The fireworks will take place on Wuskenau Beach.
PHOTO: Misquamicut Beach facebook
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July 4
Independence Day Beach Party & Fireworks
Narragansett
Narragansett Town Beach will host a beach party starting around mid day with sandcastle building and music from Brass Force from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the deck of the North Beach Clubhouse.
Then sit back and enjoy the fireworks that will begin at dusk.
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July 4
South Kingstown 4th of July Celebration
South Kingstown
The celebration begins at 6:00 p.m. at Old Mountain Field with a concert featuring “Take it to the Bridge”, a high-energy cover band from Southern Rhode Island playing hits that will have you dancing.
Get to the party early and enjoy food concessions and children's activities for ages 4 to 7.
Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m.
PHOTO: Take it to the Bridge Facebook
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July 4
Portsmouth Fireworks
Portsmouth
Escobar's Farm will shoot off fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m.
The farm is located at 133 Middle Road.
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July 4
Patriotic Activities at the Colony House and Washington Square
Newport
Visit the Colony House and Washington Square for a morning of patriotic activities, including a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Throughout the day, celebrate religious freedom and the First Amendment when over a dozen houses of worship will be open to the public for tours.
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