EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 3, 2024
History of the Fourth of July and how its celebrated
-Continued from PAGE SEVEN
al Fourth of July foods
and recipes, such as apple
pie and corn on the cob,
have their roots in colonial
American cuisine.
Bell Ringing Tradition:
The tradition of ringing
bells to celebrate Inde-
pendence Day began with
the Liberty Bell. Though
the Liberty Bell is now
cracked and cannot be rung,
it is symbolically tapped 13
times every Fourth of July
to honor the original 13
colonies.
Early Fireworks: The
tradition of setting off fire-
works on Independence
Day dates back to 1777,
when Philadelphia cele-
brated the first anniversary
of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence with a display of
fireworks and cannon fire.
Fireworks Imports: The
vast majority of fireworks
used for Fourth of July cele-
brations in the United States
are imported from China,
which is the world’s largest
producer of fireworks.
Monticello Natural-
ization Ceremony: Each
year, Thomas Jefferson’s
home, Monticello, hosts a
naturalization ceremony on
the Fourth of July, where
new citizens are sworn in,
celebrating the enduring
legacy of America’s found-
ing principles.
First Public Fourth of
July Event at the White
House: The first public
Fourth of July event at
the White House was held
in 1801 during Thomas
Jefferson’s presidency. He
opened the White House
grounds to the public for
festivities.
Original Document
Preservation: The original
Declaration of Indepen-
dence is preserved and dis-
played at the National Ar-
chives in Washington, D.C.,
along with the Constitution
and the Bill of Rights.
Hollywood Sign Dedi-
cation: The famous Holly-
wood sign in Los Angeles
was dedicated on July 4,
1923. It originally read
“Hollywoodland” and was
intended to promote a real
estate development.
Competitive Eating:
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog
Eating Contest, held annu-
ally on July 4th at Coney
Island, has become a major
tradition. Joey Chestnut
holds the record for the
most hot dogs eaten in 10
minutes, with 76 hot dogs
consumed in 2021.
Independence Day
Songs: Aside from “The
Star-Spangled Banner,”
other patriotic songs com-
monly associated with
the Fourth of July include
“America the Beautiful,”
“God Bless America,” and
“Yankee Doodle.”
Presidential Birthdays:
Calvin Coolidge, the 30th
President of the United
States, was born on July 4,
1872, making him the only
U.S. president born on In-
dependence Day.
Hollywood Bowl Fire-
works: The Hollywood
Bowl in Los Angeles is
known for its spectacular
Fourth of July fireworks
shows, which often feature
performances by famous
musicians and orchestras.
Fourth of July in Space:
On July 4, 1997, the Path-
finder spacecraft success-
fully landed on Mars. The
Fourth of July has seen
several other significant
space events, including the
launch of the Deep Impact
probe in 2005, which col-
lided with a comet to study
its composition.
Picnic Tradition: The
tradition of having picnics
on the Fourth of July dates
back to the early 19th cen-
tury. Communities would
gather for outdoor meals,
games, and socializing,
fostering a sense of togeth-
erness and celebration.
Longest Baseball
Game: On July 4, 1985, the
New York Mets and Atlanta
Braves played a game that
lasted 19 innings, ending
at 4:00 a.m. the next day,
making it one of the longest
games in Major League
Baseball history.
Mid-1800s: The ear-
liest recorded 4th of July
celebrations in Oregon date
back to the mid-1800s.
As pioneers and settlers
moved west along the Or-
egon Trail, they brought
with them the tradition of
celebrating Independence
Day.
O r e g o n Te r r i t o r y
(1848-1859): During the
Oregon Territory period,
communities would gath-
er for patriotic speeches,
parades, and communal
meals. These events helped
foster a sense of unity and
American identity among
the settlers.
Statehood and Growth
Statehood in 1859:
Oregon became the 33rd
state of the Union on Feb-
ruary 14, 1859. Follow-
ing statehood, 4th of July
celebrations grew in scale
and significance, reflecting
Oregon’s integration into
the United States.
The history of July 4th
celebrations in Oregon is
closely tied to the state’s de-
velopment and its integra-
tion into the United States.
Here’s a brief overview:
Modern Era
Post-WWII Era: After
World War II, the nature
of 4th of July celebrations
began to change, with more
emphasis on fireworks dis-
plays and less on formal
speeches. Community pic-
nics, barbecues, and local
festivals became standard
ways to celebrate the hol-
iday.
Independence Day cel-
ebrations in Eastern Oregon
have a rich history, reflect-
ing the region’s pioneering
spirit, agricultural roots,
and close-knit communi-
ties. Here’s a detailed look
at how Independence Day
has been celebrated in this
part of the state:
Early Celebrations
Mid to Late 1800s: As
settlers established com-
munities in Eastern Oregon
during the mid to late 19th
century, they brought with
them the tradition of cele-
brating Independence Day.
Early celebrations were
modest, often involving
community gatherings, pic-
nics, and patriotic speeches.
Pioneer Days: In these
early days, events were held
in towns like Pendleton,
Baker City, and La Grande,
featuring activities such as
horse races, shooting con-
tests, and communal meals.
These gatherings were cru-
cial for fostering a sense
of community and shared
identity among settlers.
Development and
Growth
Late 19th to Early 20th
Century: As towns grew and
transportation improved,
4th of July celebrations
became more elaborate.
Parades, fireworks, and
organized events became
common. Local newspapers
from this period provide
accounts of festive parades,
music, and community
feasts.
Agricultural Influence:
Given the agricultural focus
of Eastern Oregon, many
celebrations were tied to the
farming calendar. After the
spring planting and before
the busy harvest season,
the 4th of July provided a
welcome break for farmers
and their families.
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