Tomorrow we celebrate July 4th in honor of the day the citizens of the United States, after asking nicely for over 150 years, declared their independence from George III of England and also voted to allow horseless carriages on Boston streets should they ever be invented. Only the independence thing made the papers.Kids and the Fourth of July spell fireworks. Kids and fireworks spell Trouble with a capital "T," and that's rhymes with … lots of things.
Here are a few basic safety suggestions:
* Explain to the kids that a cherry bomb is not the same item they find floating in a Shirley Temple.
* Sparklers should be held at arm's length and not used to reenact a Star Wars light-saber duel.
* Only an adult should check a firecracker that doesn't explode after the fuse fizzles … because adults are insured, that's why.
* When the nice policeman asks where you got the roman candles, never answer, "From my Daddy."
And, while you watch the kids "ooh" and "aah" over the fireworks ( they'll use "cool" and "awesome"), you can reflect on the following:
On July 4th, everyone talks about independence, but the day has other historical significance.
On July 4, 1992, John Phillips (no relation, as you can tell from the spelling), from the Mamas and Papas, underwent a liver transplant.
Two of the most publicized owners in the sports world were born on July 4th: Al Davis in 1929 and, one year later, George Steinbrenner. They both decided to model their lives after the world's greatest crowd pleaser, Phineas T. Barnum, born on July 4th, 1810.
But July 4th wasn't always a happy date: On a July 4th the great football coach, Hank Stram, died (2005), as did Barry White (2003), Charles Kuralt (1997), Eva Gabor (1995), Richard "Pancho" Gonzalez (1995) and Marie Curie, (1934). Three United States presidents bowed out on Independence Day: James Monroe (1831), John Adams (1826) and Thomas Jefferson (also 1826).
We might remember them all along with our fallen comrades who have given their lives that we might remain free.
Have a safe and happy Fourth.
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Comments: 97
Happy 4th of July to everyone! Hopefully everyone has a grand ol' time and stays safe! ;)
Enjoy the holiday.
But my daddy did give me the Roman Candle...and he was a cop!
Thanks for posting this to our
fouthofjuly2008 Group.
I featured it today.
Thank you for posting to Make me Laugh
Have a great 4th!
You have a safe and great fourth as well.
And esp the warnings to the kids about the danger of fireworks. Sometimes they, and the adults too, forget they are 'fire' works and that it takes skill and training to use them correctly.
dropping by to leave you a 10,
HAPPY 4TH
Wait until the aliens arrive.
Didn't someone tell us not to play with fire?
To anyone who has been or is a member of our armed forces, I celebrate you as well.
John, thank you for your liberating humor. I hope that you too have a wonderful 4th of July.
To the rest of my fellow Americans, Happy Birthday!!!
Have a great Fourth
I suggest you reread this article. :)
Thanks.
Have a good flight.
Have a good day today.
Some kinda karma working there.
Girly Comments & Graphics
Good article and happy 4th to you.
Maybe it's time to move.
I did have a discussion with a neighbor about that, someone who thought bullets seemed to go up into space indefinitely. It was a polite discussion but by that time there was one bird fatality and it was lucky there were not children or adults injured.
Hope it's all settled with the neighbor.
Have a safe weekend.
Welcome back.
Congratulations John!
Your article is featured in today's Community DateBook™
...and I wish you well on your new writing 'ventures'!
Keep up your great work with the calendar and the "how to" wizard tips. I'm guessing you don't need the tips in: Taming the Wild Computer
Sparklers were one of the magical moments of childhood — along with fireflies.
And, I was in a rush that day, all I could do was post that picture comment.
Twas no trouble at all my friend.
Have a lovely day!
Do you like my new icon?
If so, please come by and rate when you get a spare minute.
If you have already done so, disregard this.
Have a lovely afternoon!
The paragraph...
"We might remember them all along with our fallen comrades who have given their lives that we might remain free."
is a good note for a citizen of a free nation. Especially on the Independence Day.
Thank you!