The Fourth of July, wherein we celebrate The Declaration of Independence, is right around the corner which means it's time for backyard barbecues at home followed by a concert and fireworks at the Barnegat Municipal Dock on July 3 (rain date July 5). The concert will start at 7:00 PM with a performance by ReUnited Oldies Band. Fireworks will start at dusk.
For as long as Americans can remember, the nation has celebrated the Fourth of July by staging grand fireworks shows in public squares and lighting smaller displays at home. Why do we commemorate Independence Day by setting off thousands of small explosions?
Because John Adams wanted us to. Before the Declaration of Independence was even signed, he envisioned fireworks as a part of the festivities. In a letter to Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776, he wrote that the occasion should be commemorated “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.” The first commemorative Independence Day fireworks were set off on July 4, 1777.
The Pennsylvania Evening Post wrote that in Philadelphia, “The evening was closed with the ring of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.” The paper noted that “Everything was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal.” That same year, fireworks also lit up the sky in Boston, where they were exhibited by Col. Thomas Crafts over the common. By 1783 a large variety of fireworks were available to the public. In 1784 one merchant offered a range of pyrotechnics that included “rockets, serpents, wheels, table rockets, cherry trees, fountains, and sun flowers.” (according to Slate)
Let’s not forget that The American Revolutionary War or The War of Independence lasted about 7 years and cost thousands of lives. Two of the most significant battles were The Battle of Princeton (NJ) when Washington crossed the Delaware River on December 25th 1976 surprising the British army and in October 1781, when the war virtually came to an end when General Cornwallis was surrounded and forced to surrender the British position at Yorktown, Virginia.
In September of 1783, the United States government and the British Parliament officially agreed to the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolution and made it official; The United States of America was independent.
A nation created by the people, for the people.
Other Area Celebrations:
- Beach Haven: 4th of July Fireworks, Taylor Avenue Park, 8:30 p.m. July 4 (rain date July 5)
- Barnegat Light: Independence Day Parade, West 11th St. to the Pavilion, 6th and Bayview Ave., 6 p.m. July 6
- Additional Celebrations on The Jersey Shore
Karl Hess provides expert real estate services to residential buyers and sellers in Barnegat and the surrounding communities. Contact us today for more information on Barnegat Real Estate and for professional assistance navigating this complex home market.
As always, thank you for your time and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. Karl Hess, Your Realtor on The Jersey Shore in Ocean County
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