Every year on the 4th of July, Americans celebrate Independence Day all over the country.
Many families will have cookouts followed by fireworks after dark. In the bigger cities, such as Houston, there’s always a huge fireworks show for the citizens to watch.
Fireworks date back over 2,000 years ago to China. The record for the largest firework display consisted of 66,326 fireworks and was achieved in Portugal in 2006.
China is the largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world. 90% of all fireworks originate from China. A string of firecrackers that went on and on, lasting 22 hours, marked the New Years day celebrations in Hong Kong in 1996.
Although a lot of fun, fireworks can be very dangerous. Half of all fireworks injuries are to children under the age of 16.
We use fireworks to light up the night skies to celebrate our Independence from England. The crux of the Revolutionary War was that we did not like “Taxation without Representation” among many other things.
We had the Boston Tea Party, where tea was dumped over the sides of ships into the Boston harbor. This was done in protest.
When we finally had enough of England, our Founding Fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence and sent it to England.
John Hancock is famous for signing his name much larger than all of the rest. Now days people say, “Put your John Hancock on that”, when asking someone to sign something.
George Washington was the General in charge of our army during the Revolutionary War. There were some tough battles and many lives were lost.
Through grit and perseverance we won the war and got our Independence from England.
George Washington was our first President after the war.
At the time of the Revolutionary War, England was the Super Power on the Globe. If you look at a map and see how small England is, you’ll be amazed that such a small country ruled the world for a long time… that is until we kicked their asses, lol.
Today, we are the Super Power and we police all other countries around the Globe. This is a daunting task and many millions hate us for our prosperity, but they would give their right arm to be able to live in the United States of America. Trust me on that!
After all, they don’t say “The American Dream” for nothing.
It’s been many, many decades since we fought the Revolutionary War for our Freedom. I just hope the teachers in the schools are stressing how important Independence Day is to us and our way of life.
The 4th of July should mean more than hot dogs and apple pie. It’s a day that we should recognize as one of the, if not the, most important Holiday that we have.
But don’t get me wrong. The best part of celebrating Independence Day is being surrounded by friends and loved ones as you eat, drink and make merry. It is our very freedom to do this that we celebrate.
What article about the 4th of July would be complete without mentioning the famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest held every Independence Day.
Huge crowds gather to watch this food spectacle. The contest was first held in 1916 and has gone on ever since, except for two exceptions.
Joey Chestnut seems to win every year.
He dips the bread in water to make it easier to swallow faster.
There’s even a women’s contest.
Not the most flattering of contests for a woman, lol.
But they are definitely motivated to put away some Hot Dogs.
It’s a wonder no one has never choked during the contest from jamming food down their throats so fast.
Can you imagine eating 69 Hot Dogs in ten minutes? I couldn’t eat 69 Hot Dogs in 2 days.
Joey not only wins Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest, he competes in many other food consumption contests. And he wins most of the time.
I can’t believe he’s not fat after eating so much food all the time.
When you win the Nathan’s contest, you get a Winners’ Belt.
These two people look so small to be able to eat so much. I bet the next day they get cramps.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is but one of a multitude of things that make America great.
According to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council (NHDSC) Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs over the July 4th holiday alone, part of the 7 billion hot dogs eaten over the summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
That’s a hell of a lot of wieners.
I hope you and yours have a great 4th of July. Be safe with your fireworks, eat some watermelon for me and never forget those who came before us that made this day possible.
The Land of the Free & the Home of the Brave.
Spider Michaels
Spider Michaels 