Fourth of July

Independence Day...
Let Freedom Ring! 

I remember celebrating the 200th birthday of our country, July 4, 1976, when I was 11. We went to a barbecue at the Steele's house in the country.  Good thing about that?  No city limits and fireworks to explode to our hearts content...surrounded by cotton fields. The problem, if I remember correctly, was the wind.  Hard to get fireworks to cooperate in windy conditions.  Did I mention that this was in West Texas where the wind ALWAYS blows? However, we also had a large celebration that day in our town square.  I think we had a parade, too.  Of course, our town wasn't rich, so we didn't have a city firework display. Later years included memories of family gatherings and going with my boyfriend to watch displays or shoot off our own fireworks...also in the country. Those were the days. Regular old Americana.  

Independence Hall as seen from the south on Independence Mall.

Fast forward to this year.  I went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the first time in May.  I have a minor in history, but that does not mean that all eras of history are of interest to me.  Sad to say American History is one such era.  But, I do get nostalgic and misty about the good old U.S. of A. when I visit significant places related to our country's search for and achievement of freedom and independence, such as Washington, DC, New York, NY, and, now, Philadelphia, PA.  

North side of Independence Hall seen
from inside the National Historic Park.

We took the tour of Independence Hall during our lunch break, but I wandered around everywhere else on my own. 

Assembly Room

Assembly Room of Independence Hall

Why do monuments and historical places looks so much cooler at night?

Liberty Bell at night.  

Wishing you all the best of Fourth of July weekends. And, Happy 238th Birthday to the United States of America!