Fabulous 4th of July - Fun, Facts, Celebrations

Watch this short video to learn and know the history of the 4th of July otherwise known as Independence Day!  Take some time during the holiday weekend to learn some history of America winning its independence and gaining the 4th of July holiday.

Did you know

• Every 4th of July the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped (not actually rung) thirteen times in honor of the original thirteen colonies.
• Fifty-nine places in the U.S. contain the word “liberty” in the name. Pennsylvania, with 11, has more of these places than any other state.
• The first Independence Day celebration took place in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. This was also the day that the Declaration of Independence was first read in public after people were summoned by the ringing of the Liberty Bell.

For more fun facts, visit 20 Fun Facts About the 4th of July

There is still time to plan a fabulous 4th of July party.  Put up some fun decor, flags, table centerpieces, yummy food and some fun drinks.

Check these links for some inspiration

https://www.cookinglight.com/entertaining/holidays-occasions/4th-july-drinks

4TH OF JULY HOME DECORATING IDEAS

Let's look at other July celebrations.

July Birthdays

July is a big month! It is the halfway point. We have completed half of the year and have another half to look forward to and complete! I start the month with a family birthday and end the month with a family birthday. My mom is July 1st and my dad's birthday was July 30th.

Nelson Mandela Day

Nelson Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa, on July 18, 1918. He is one of the most well-known anti-apartheid activists in South Africa. The definition of apartheid is

a·part·heid/əˈpärtˌ(h)āt,əˈpärtˌ(h)īt/ (From Google Dictionary)

1. (in South Africa) a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race.
   • segregation on grounds other than race." gender apartheid"

He was jailed in 1963 for leading the liberation movement against apartheid and for his stance on the human right to live in freedom.

The first Mandela Day was launched in New York on July 18, 2009. On November 10, 2009, the United Nations adopted a resolution declaring July 18 as “Nelson Mandela International Day”. The day marks Nelson Mandela’s contribution to peace through his active involvement in resolving conflicts, promoting human rights, international democracy and reconciliation, and in addressing racial issues. The day hopes to inspire people to embrace the values that Mandela shared. These values include democracy, freedom, equality, diversity, reconciliation, and respect.

Click here for more information

Multicultural Wedding Inspiration

BUFFALO SOLDIERS DAY - July 28th

Have you heard of the Buffalo Soldiers? I am not talking about the song by Bob Marley. Congress established the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army after the end of the Civil War. The Buffalo Soldiers (one of many African-American regiments raised during the Civil War) were the first instituted to provide security.

Since they were frontier regiments, Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalries faced the hardships of the Wild West. They protected unsettled land as pioneers moved westward. Buffalo Soldiers Day on July 28th commemorates the formation of the first regular Army regiments comprising African American soldiers in 1866.

In the picture below, is my dad reenacting as a Buffalo Soldier. He is the 2nd from the left.

To learn about the Buffalo Soldiers - click here

July Celebrations