Happy Fourth of July Memories

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Happy Fourth of July Everyone!!!​

Do any of you have any special 4th of July memories or anecdotes you'd like to share?

When I was a kid, my Dad worked for DuPont and we moved around North America (Canada & USA) a lot. Much of the 70s were spent in Montreal, Quebec.
But, we were in Delaware (DuPont HQ) for 1975 and 1976. The Bicentennial was widely celebrated, and the American Revolution was a big part of school curriculum, as Delaware played an important part in historical events.
I was old enough to understand and appreciate it from a historical standpoint, yet young enough to not feel cynical about then-current events.
Meanwhile in Quebec, Canada Day (July 1st) is not widely observed largely due to the francophone separatist movement.
I felt a pride, especially during that July 4th in 1976, that I had never felt.

When we returned to Montreal, I was the only kid in the neighborhood that had a full size facsimile of the Declaration of Independence on his bedroom wall.

God Bless the USA!​

 

[SMSgt]

Used to spend my youthful summers with family friends in Columbia, SC, just off Ft. Jackson property. The base always had the best firework displays ever. Never seen anything as good since.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Me mum would have turned 91 today.

Our last pic together which was one year ago today.

 

[grover99]

I grew up in Texas and Texas History was taught every year throughout hight school. with American History almost an after thought. Still every 4th there wold be a huge fireworks display out at the rodeo grounds and my aunt would hand me a $20 to buy fireworks which was a lot of money back in the 1950s. Back then you could buy anything you wanted and I blew the heck out of stuff with cherry bombs and M80s. Lucky I still have all my fingers still.

 

[lkabug]

Growing up in coal mining mountains of Appalachia we never had money for fireworks.
However, my dad would bring home some black blasting powder and spred it out in narrow slips about 3 feet long. We kids would cheer as he lit them off. No big bang, perhaps a bit of a hiss as it was burning.
Early in the day, dad would raise the flag we would salute and sing the National Anthem. Family games and such and then the watermelon. Maybe some homemade ice cream. For us kids that was a wonderful celebration.

 

[Rudi]

As kid, watermelon and sparklers. Watching a big fireworks show and getting to stay up till after 10:00!!

 

[lihpster]

When I was a little kid I never got to see the fireworks shows. We lived far enough out of town to not see them and driving into town to see them was something my parents weren't really interested in, especially with 3 kids in tow.
Now, one year, when I was about 8, my grandparents were spending the summer on the boat, and for the Fourth they were gonna be in Newport on the coast, docked at the Embarcadero marina. Me and my brothers went to visit them and stay on the boat.
When the fireworks started, us boys climbed up on the top of the wheelhouse and laid on our backs watching the spectacle. After the finale, the Coast Guard station shot off a red parachute flare that slowly drifted down. Looking back it was a pretty small and unimpressive show, but right then it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen.
My folks, on the other hand, who never wanted to take us to see the show, decided that since they had no kids to deal with, they would drive up to the highest point in the coast mountain range. From there they could see the displays from multiple small towns. They watched the fireworks displays and then sat there for a bit. About 10 minutes after the show, a thunderstorm kicked off. Since they were on the highest point for many miles, right next to a 150' radio tower, they bugged out for home with lightning crashing all around them. Dad said the first show was nothing compared to the second one.
Been fascinated by fireworks ever since. Happy Independence Day, my friends. Take care.

 

[Golddollar]

In the Bicentennial year 1976, the Fourth of July was on a Sunday. I was working in a small town in upstate PA and rented a room in a house next to a church. I saw the people coming out of the church service that day, and it was interesting to behold. Some of the people were dressed in colonial garb. One fellow took it one step further. He was carrying a musket and rode away on a horse he had tied up in front of the church.