Jun 30, 2008 - 08:36:40 CDT
This Friday, we celebrate America's 232nd birthday, the day a document known as the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted by the Continental Congress.John Adams, one of the people behind the Declaration, always figured July 2nd would be celebrated as Independence Day, because it was on that day the Continental Congress approved a resolution calling for colonial independence from England and that the United Colonies of America should be called the United States of America.
But Americans like their symbols, and a congressional resolution makes for a lousy symbol. But a handwritten parchment declaring specific political principles and human rights signed by some of the most famous people in American history? Now that's a symbol.
Below are some of the best Web sites to visit this week if you want to learn more about the Declaration of Independence and other aspects of American history and symbols.
I've also included a number of sites on fireworks. From virtual fireworks shows you can control to information on the pyrotechnics behind the annual colorful displays, you'll be well versed on the history, sights and sounds of Independence Day.
Documents: Declaration of Independence
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html
An excellent site from the National Archives and Records Administration. You can download high resolution copies of the Declaration of Independence, learn about the history of the document, learn about the men who signed the Declaration and much, much more. You can even add your signature to the Declaration -- using a Flash-based program, you can sign and print a copy of the document with your name among the other signatures. The Declaration section is one section in a larger "Charters of Freedom" Web site, which includes sections on the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. This is a "must see" site if you visit any place online with respect to the Fourth of July.
Declaration of Independence
http://www.thedeclarationofindependence.org
A well documented and detailed history of events leading up to the colonies seeking to declare their independence from England along with great comments and recollections by the people who were asked to prepare the declaration, notably Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Excellent information and insights â€" check it out.
Fourth of July 2008
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts—for—features—special—editions/011920.html
From the U.S. Census Bureau, a cornucopia of facts, figures and other miscellany related to the Fourth of July. Did you know when the 13 colonies declared their independence from Britain that 2.5 million people lived in what would soon be the United States? Or that the odds are 4 in 10 that the side dish of baked beans you eat this Fourth will have originated in North Dakota, which produced 42 percent of the nation's dry, edible beans in 2007?
Our Flag
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic—text/misc/ourflag/titlepage.htm
Learn everything you'd want to know about the Americana flag: History, laws, regulations and more.
Celebrating the Fourth
http://www.american.edu/heintze/fourth.htm
An interesting collection of speeches, toasts, orations and articles over the past several hundred years highlighting how people celebrated the Fourth of July.
Fireworks Just For You
http://www.maylin.net/Fireworks.html
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/firework/jvfire2.htm
Click your mouse repeatedly in the window to launch fireworks that you can see rise into the sky before exploding in colorful bursts. Where you click on the screen is where the fireworks will explode, so you can arrange your own patterns of explosions in the sky. If you can't get out to see the real thing, thins might make a good virtual substitute.
CyberFireworks
http://www.cyberfireworks.com
Another virtual fireworks display. Simply click the "start" and "stop" links to view the colorful displays.
Fireworks Videos
http://www.pyroinnovations.com/videos.html
Videos to watch online or download of fireworks shows put on by a commercial pyrotechnics company.
Fireworks For All
http://fireworksforall.com
A fireworks fan has put together a large video and photo collection of different fireworks packages he's purchased and used. Click on the photo of the specific package to see a video of the package in action. What kind of pyrotechnic display can you expect from the 30-shot "Dreaming of Gold" package? Click the link to see it in action.
How Fireworks Work
http://www.howstuffworks.com/fireworks.htm
http://www.pyrouniverse.com/consumer/howtheywork.htm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3077329/
Good online reference information on how fireworks are made, what puts the color, bang and sizzle in them and more. Educational and entertaining.
(Keith Darnay is the webmaster and designer for bismarcktribune.com. His Web site, featuring this column going back to 1995, is at www.darnay.com.iec.)
jj wrote on Jul 1, 2008 3:38 PM:
Harold Reimann wrote on Jun 30, 2008 2:16 PM:
Harold Reimann wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:55 PM:
Harold Reimann wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:27 PM:
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