Sunday Political Brunch - July 4th Trivia

Sunday, July 02, 2017

Mark Curtis, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Mark Curtis

It is the long Fourth of July weekend, so we we’ll dispense with the serious politics today. Instead, we’ll share some fun facts and trivia about our country’s birthday and heritage. I first published this on July 4, 2013, and it's one of my most popular columns! Enjoy!

“Double Vision” – Not only did both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson sign the Declaration of Independence, they both also later became President of the United States. But the most interesting coincidence they shared is that they both died within hours of each other on July 4th, 1826. The two were bitter rivals, who did not like each other at all. Legend has it that Adams's last words were, “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” But it wasn’t true. His archrival beat him to the punch, having died five hours before Adams.

“Three's a Crowd?” – Oddly enough, Adams and Jefferson were not the only Presidents to die on the 4th of July. James Monroe, our nation’s fifth President, died on July 4, 1831. So the second, third, and fifth Presidents all died on the 4th, and all are counted among our "Founding Fathers.” What are the odds?

“Happy 2nd of July!” – In truth, the Declaration of Independence was actually approved on July 2, 1776, but was not published in the newspaper until July 4. John Adams still wanted all the celebrations on the 2nd, but was overruled.

“A Signature Moment” – Everyone knows John Hancock’s famous bold signature. In truth, he was the first and only one actually to sign the document on July 4th. It took another month to collect the signatures of the other 56 people who approved it.

“Around the Globe” – July 4th is not just a tradition in the U.S. People have celebrated it, in one way or another, on every continent. In 1934, American explorer Richard Byrd and his crew set off fireworks in Antarctica, even though it was 34 degrees below zero!

“Paint the Town Green!” – For many of the early years, red, white and blue were not the tradition. Colored fabric was rare and expensive in the early days of our nation, so there weren’t many flags. Instead people used greenery to decorate their homes and towns in celebration.

“Happy Birthday, America, and…” – The nation may celebrate its birthday on the Fourth of July, but also born on July 4th were our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge, and former "First Daughter," Malia Obama.

“God Bless…Kate Smith?” – Famed songwriter Irving Berlin wrote “God Bless America” for a play he was scoring in 1918, but the tune was dropped from the production. It sat on his shelf collecting dust for the next 20 years. In 1938, singer Kate Smith asked Berlin if he had any patriotic songs she could sing for Armistice Day (now Veterans Day). Berlin handed her “God Bless America! The rest, they say, is history!

As always, I welcome your thoughts! Click the comment button at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com.

Related Slideshow: 10 July 4 Parades & Firework Displays You Must See in Central MA - 2017

Prev Next

July 1 -4

Independence Day Celebration at Old Sturbridge Village

Sturbridge

Old Sturbridge's celebration starts on July 1 and goes right through July 4.

Celebrate Independence day with family and friends at the weekend celebration.

Citizens will have a chance to partake in many different events throughout the weekend including farmyard games, 19th-century baseball and more.

Prev Next

July 1

Fireworks at Memorial Beach

Webster

The Town of Webster will put on a fireworks display on July 1 at Memorial Beach.

The fireworks are set for 9 p.m.

Prev Next

July 1

Star Spangled Celebration

Putnam

Putnam's Star Spangled Celebration begins at 1 a.m. on July 1 and will include food, live music with the Billy Pilgrim Band, cars, sidewalk sales and much more.

Following the celebration, grab a chair and get ready for the Putnam fireworks at dusk.

PHOTO: Billy Pilgrim Band Facebook

Prev Next

July 2

Barre July 4 Celebration

Barre

Barre’s July 4 celebration will take place at the Harding Allen Bandstand in the Barre Common on July 2.

The celebration will feature the Quabbin Community Band, who will begin playing at 6 p.m.

The celebration is FREE to attend.

Prev Next

July 3

Fitchburg Civic Days Block Party

Fitchburg

Fitchburg's Civic Days Block Party is set to take place on July 3 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The party will feature vendors, music and a parade starting at 10 a.m. from St. Bernard's Elementary School.

Prev Next

July 3

Fireworks at Fruitlands Museum

Harvard

The Fruitlands Museum in Harvard will put on a fireworks display on July 3 starting at 9:15 p.m.

Fruitlands is located at 102 Prospect Hill Road.

Prev Next

July 3

Rutland 4th of July Celebration

Rutland

Rutland will host their 69th annual 4th of July celebration on July 3 at Memorial Field.

The celebration features an afternoon parade and then fireworks starting at 9:20 p.m.

Prev Next

July 4

Millbury Fireworks

Millbury

Millbury will put on a fireworks display on July 3 with the show beginning at 9:45 p.m.

The display will take place at Windle Field.

Prev Next

July 4

Shrewsbury 4th of July Celebration

Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury will host their 4th of July celebration on Independence Day at Dean Park.

The celebration will include food, live music, and DJs as well as inflatable amusements, clowns, and face painting. A decorated bike and doll carriage parade will begin at 12:30 p.m.

The celebration goes from noon to 4 p.m. and is FREE.