It’s the fourth of July in the United States of America and time for barbecues and fireworks.
We think of July 4th as Independence Day…. the day that represents the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation. The Continental Congress declared independence on July 2, 1776 but July 4, 1776 was the actual day that they approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence.
How did the Fourth of July become a national holiday in the United States of America?
In 1817, John Adams complained that America seemed uninterested in its past. After the War of 1812, the Federalist party began to come apart and the new parties of the 1820s and 1830s all considered themselves inheritors of Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans.
In an attempt to increase interest in past history, printed copies of the Declaration were circulated with the date July 4, 1776, listed at the top.
The deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on July 4, 1826, may have even helped to promote the idea of July 4th as being an important date to remember.
Celebrations of the Fourth of July became more common as the years went on. In 1870, Congress declared July 4th to be a national holiday as part of a bill to officially recognize several holidays including Christmas.
Wandering Wednesday Photo Prompt
For today’s photo theme, let’s share patriotic photographs. Think flags, fireworks, red, white and blue, or any other image that represents patriotic to you. Share and connect!
The Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza is a park located in front of the Arizona state capitol complex in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It’s home to several memorials honoring prominent figures in Arizona history as well as memorializing significant wars and other events that have affected the state.
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Wandering Wednesday – Ingrid’s Photo Inspirations
Each Wednesday I post a different photo prompt as a way for bloggers to share their love of photography and engage with other like minded bloggers. Perhaps this prompt will serve as a little inspiration to pick up the camera in search of a composition or a reason to go through your photo archives. Whether you shoot with your phone, a DSLR or something in-between, don’t be shy 🤗 share those photos!
Upcoming prompts – Sunsets, Food, Landscapes, Garden …. get out and shoot or peruse those archives!
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Womens 4th of July American Flag Shirt
Thank you for emphasizing “Independence Day” over the “Fourth of July.” Much like in 1817 it appears that the country has lost the true meaning of many of our historic holidays. Inwardly I gringe every time I hear someone say, “Happy Fourth.”
BTW, I really like the new pictures on your header.
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You welcome and thanks for noticing the new header. I had fun creating it.
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Popping in to ask… is Wandering Wednesday’s theme ~~Food?
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Because this post has food, I decided to rearrange the photo prompt theme – this Wednesday is “sunsets” following Wed will be “the little things” and then it’ll be “food” …. get snapping 😀
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Enjoyed your post and photos…especially the plane. Nice capture.
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Thank you for the great history lesson. I am a docent at a State Park and we just celebrated a historical (1910) Fourth of July. It was so much but my photos are horrible.
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The more we travel, the more I’ve taken an interest in history. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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I hope you had a wonderful holiday, Ingrid! I have learned so much about this day just from reading your post. Excellent job!
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Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I just visited your blog – fun and I can relate to the heels 🙂
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These are great, I love your bi-plane photo.
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Thanks – that bi-plane photo is a fave of mine. It was a challenging day of photography but oh so fun.
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Yay! You got a bi-plane photo 🙂
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Fun pic that took a lot of snapping to capture one nice image.
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Happy 4th of July Ingrid! Hoping you had a great day of celebration.
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Thank you Sue. We had a fun day celebrating with neighbors.
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Thanks for the history lesson, Ingrid. Names and dates were never easy for me to remember.
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And not for me either … thank goodness for Google 😆
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Great post Ingrid! Happy 4th!
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Thanks Lu – hope you and Terry enjoyed your day.
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Interesting history lesson and great photos! I never really knew the history behind the day, thanks for sharing!
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Nor did I until I did a little Googling. Also enlightening learning a little history.
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Happy 4th my friend. Nice shots.
I love the red white and blue as she hangs from our house each and every day. We should be so proud to fly our colors.
We are off to enjoy festivities down at the lake.
Have fun!
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We had a fun day hanging with neighbors – flags were flying in abundance. Unfortunately, the fireworks show in Prescott Valley was canceled the day before. Arizona is way too dry to take any chances 😪
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I am glad they canceled. No need for any fires.
Glad you enjoyed the 4th with neighbors!
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Agree – we’ve already had 3 serious grass fires since arriving in May and that was enjoy for my nerves!
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Beautiful and fitting photos for today, Ingrid. If that first photo is taken at your current campground, it sure looks nice, green and quiet. But, my guess is that it was taken somewhere in Colorado at a quieter time of the year. Happy 4th! Enjoy the BBQ. 🙂
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You guessed correctly 😀 That first photo was taken a few years ago near Dillon Colorado. We loved camping in that area and while most of the sites do not have hook-ups, that particular site actually had electric.
Heading over to the neighbors right now for a little BBQ. Tonight we should be able to see fireworks from our campsite 😎🍔🍹
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I’m enjoying your Wandering Wednesday for it forces me to go back to my old posts and by doing so it brings back lots and lots of memories. At first, I thought I could not participate in today’s theme. But lo and behold I remembered visiting the historical home of the writer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson in Monticello!
https://lowestravels.com/2013/06/24/life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness-thomas-jefferson/
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What a perfect post. I have no doubt you have plenty of photographs and posts to share in my Wednesday theme. At the end of each Wednesday post, I always share upcoming prompts to give us all plenty of time to either take new photos or pull from our archives. Since I’ve been unable to hike due to a twisted ankle, it has been so much fun going through my hard drives and reliving some of our travels. Sometimes it’s nice to have an incentive to do just that!
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Thanks for this wonderful reminder of the history of Independence Day. Enjoy your 4th of July! I’m happy to participate in this Wandering Wednesday https://wanderingdawgs.com/2018/07/04/happy-birthday-america/
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It was fun doing a little research and learning something new. Wishing you a great day!
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Happy 4th Ingrid! Nice shots!
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And a happy 4th to you as well. So envious of your water setting – lovely!
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Happy Independence Day and thanks for the history – I consider this our countries most important day – America’s Birthday
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Happy birthday to us 😎 Hope you enjoy your day and are grilling up something delicious!
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Ingrid, Happy Independence Day. Great photos and an inspiration. Wandering Wednesday – great idea. Our country is strong and resilient. Our flag is beautiful, long may she wave.
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Agree! Hope you have a fun 4th with the family.
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Happy 4th! Clarkdale, where I live, has a charming old-fashioned town celebration with pancakes, parades, and music in the town park. It’s a great way to feel proud for living in a community and proud to be an American. 🙂
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Sounds like fun. I’ve driven through Clarkdale numerous times but have never stop to explore. We’ll be hanging with neighbors and watching the Prescott Valley fireworks tonight… one of the few that haven’t been canceled.
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Interesting! Happy 4th!
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Thanks and a Happy 4th to you as well!
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Happy Independence day
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Thank you Kelly 😊
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A Happy Fourth of July to you and yours,
Pit
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And the same to you Pit. Hope you and Mary are enjoying the day!
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