The 21-days from Flag Day to Independence Day have been declared Honor America Days. Here is a thank you from Arizona citizen Gianluca Zanna.
Tag Archives: Independence Day
The 12 Days of Williams: July 2014
Sheriff Julian Whittington of Bossier Parish, Louisiana vowed that the ACLU would not stop the second annual “In God We Trust” rally. One editorial noted that it “…followed the best of our traditions.” He took the line from the Supreme Court decision of Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306 in which they stated:
We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being. We guarantee the freedom to worship as one chooses. We make room for as wide a variety of beliefs and creeds as the spiritual needs of man deem necessary. We sponsor an attitude on the part of government that shows no partiality to any one group and that lets each flourish according to the zeal of its adherents and the appeal of its dogma. When the state encourages religious instruction or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions. For it then respects the religious nature of our people and accommodates the public service to their spiritual needs.
In preparation for the Independence Day holiday, we presented a good read from the “Father of the Constitution,” James Madison. His paper, known as Property or On Property, is one of his unpublished papers reflecting his thoughts on what property is. Here is another thought by our fourth President. You might be interested in some thoughts on the Tenth Amendment. Here is a quote from Thomas Jefferson.
A newspaper owned by Benjamin Franklin which became available at an auction contained a simple report of a significant event in American history. It confirms that Independence was actually declared on July 2.
In the midst of celebrating our Independence, the administration allegedly celebrated by suing an American company for requiring their workers to speak English. In Mississippi a disgruntled former employee entered Keith’s Superstore and stabbed the manager eight times. A concealed carry permit holder chased the criminal down and held him for police. The manager then posted no guns signs.
Arizona was accused in court of denying drivers licenses to immigrants. This, of course, is a lie. Arizona denied licenses to illegal aliens. Recently the courts ordered Arizona to start issuing licenses to illegal aliens. Arizona was accused of batching an execution because Joseph Rudolph Wood III snored before he died. Unlike his victims who died in pain.
July 27 is a day to honor Korean War veterans in Arizona.
After the devastating Slide Rock fire, State Route 89A and Oak Creek Canyon businesses started opening.
The forest near Williams suffered some lightning caused fires. 32-year old Rocky Deibler of Williams lost his life in a one vehicle accident near Williams. An inmate committed suicide at the Coconino County Detention Facility.
Bearizona held its annual Backwoods BBQ.
Independence Day Celebration in Williams
WILLIAMS – The Independence day celebration in Williams was filled with activity. The weekly Kiwanis swap meet opened on Friday. The Williams Aquatic Center held a free swim and there was a community event and prayer on Saturday.
Williams was prevented from conducting a fireworks display again, but there was lightning and rain.
The parade this year was held in the evening and was larger than normal. If you missed it, here it is:
Rare Benjamin Franklin-Owned Newspaper Unearthed at Auction Reveals Stunningly Simple Text of Historic Moment
While July 4, 1776, gets all the glory for being the day the Declaration of Independence was signed, just 12 words in a newspaper owned by Benjamin Franklin announced the historic move that came first in the form of a vote on July 2.
“Philadelphia, July 3: Yesterday the Continental Congress declared the United Colonies free and independent states.”
That’s all it said in the Philadelphia Gazette.
There were so few characters in this message that Deseret News described it as “America’s 238-year-old tweet,” a nod to Twitter’s 140-character limit.
According to Deseret News, only 1,000 copies of the newspaper were printed holding the text that declared independence from Great Britain. It was buried under pages of classified ads looking for runaway slaves. One such copy turned up at an auction catalog last month and was snapped up by collector Brent Ashworth, who last year displayed some of his other rare items at Glenn Beck’s “Man in the Moon” event held over the Independence Day holiday.
“I was shocked,” Ashworth told Deseret of the copy. “It’s a very rare paper. … It’s a great piece.”
Read more at The Blaze
Independence celebration in Williams
“And even should the cloud of barbarism and despotism again obscure the science and liberties of Europe, this country remains to preserve and restore light and liberty to them. In short, the flames kindled on the 4th. of July 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism. On the contrary they will consume those engines, and all who work them.” — Thomas Jefferson, September 12, 1821 letter to friend John Adams.
WILLIAMS – The small town celebration of Independence in the city of Williams is filled with everything except fireworks. The only fireworks display will come from the possible thunderstorms through the weekend. Very little precipitation is expected.
The celebration by celebrating the birth date of one of the cities most prominent citizens born on the day Congress declared independence from Great Britain on July 2d. After Congress voted for independence, John Adams wrote a letter to his beloved Abigail which included this oft quoted selection:
“But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.- I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by Solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfire and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
“You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. – I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. – Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
Despite the limitations, Williams will move forward with a full weekend of activities. In addition to the planned activities, you can also plan a trip to the Grand Canyon with Marvelous Marv’s Private Grand Canyon Tour. Drive through Bearizona wild life park and check out the animals up close in the walk through area. Or take a ride on the Zipline on Railroad Avenue.
When you get hungry, you can try out one of the restaurants in Williams noted by the award winning Arizona Highways magazine. Twister’s on the east end of town, Red Raven in the Grand Canyon Hotel on Second Avenue, and the most recently honored Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe. We suggest you try the signature Canyon Burrito. All of these establishments are located right along historic Route 66.
KIWANIS CLUB “ROUTE 66 STREET MARKET” (JULY 4-6) Every weekend starts on Friday with the Kiwanis Club Route 66 Street Market to support Kiwanis scholarships. The market is located on Railroad Avenue across the street from Williams Memorial Park on the west end of town. For more info contact Bud 928-635-4393.
WORLD MISSION FUND RAISER (JULY 4) 11am. BBQ, chicken on a stick, hot dogs, sno-cones, drinks, bounce house, balloon toss, cupcake walk, watermelon eating contest. Free activities for kids. Family Harvest Church 220 S. Seventh Street. More information 928 635 5208
COMMUNITY EVENT (July 4th) 1pm-6pm Williams and Forest Service Visitor Parking Lot on the corner of Railroad Ave and Grand Canyon Blvd. Community Prayer at 1:00pm. 2pm-6pm Food, games, crafters. For more information 928 635-0273 x 210.
TRACTOR DISPLAY – (JULY 4-6) from 9am-6pm- Hit & Miss engine and Tractors. Located on 2nd street and Route 66
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION – (July 4th) Noon-4pm Williams Aquatic Center (RAILROAD AVE) Hot Dogs, Door Prizes, Fun, Games, families Welcome, Free Community Swim 12pm-4pm. Free Lunch from noon-2pm. Sponsored by Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center.
COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (July 4th) 4pm Ice Cream Social4pm. 127 W. Sherman Ave.
Call 928 6352511 for more information.
STAR GAZING (JULY 4) 7:30 pm-9:30 pm Glassburn Park, natural area. Bring your own telescope or observe the night sky through the large telescopes provided by the Coconino Astronomical Society. Bring a blanket, chair and a friend.
HOME TOWN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE (JULY 4) 6:30 pm. This year’s theme is “Pride in Our Past…Faith in Our Future.” Parade down old Route 66. Bring your Red White and Blue!
WORLD SERIES OF TEAM ROPING QUALIFIER (JULY 4-7) Fuller productions, where team ropers compete in the best team roping event in Arizona. Located at the rodeo grounds (800 Rodeo Road). Call 928.692.8465 for more information.
STEAM TO THE CANYON (JULY 5) Celebrate the 4th of July weekend by riding the historic locomotive #4960 to the Grand Canyon. www.thetrain.com
Bullhead City fireworks display; Sima Valley fireworks end unexpectedly
The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.
I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.—John Adams in a letter to wife Abigail of July 3rd after the ratification of the Declaration of Independence.
BULLHEAD CITY—Hundreds of people lined the boardwalk in Laughlin to watch the spectacular fireworks display across the Colorado river in Bullhead City. The fireworks set off several small fires along the Colorado, as usual. Still the fireworks continued into the night by private parties to celebrate 237 years of independence.
The fireworks finale set off car alarms at the Pioneer hotel and casino across the waterway.
The fireworks display at Sima Valley, California took a tragic turn, however, where the LA Times reports 36 injuries after the fireworks exploded unexpectedly.
Williams Independence Day parade takes over Route 66
Crowd lines Route 66 in Williams waiting for the parade.
WILLIAMS—Dark clouds cooled off the small City of Williams, but did not damper one of the best parades in a number of years. The American Legion Cordova Post #13 led the parade which included local groups, the 108th Army Band and—it must be an election year—politicians. Smokey made an appearance and the Williams Fire Department brought out their fire trucks.
The American Legion Cordova Post #13 carries the colors to begin the parade.
Continue reading