Happy Fourth of July, the Birthday of America!

Sound the trumpets! Beat the drums! Wave the American flag! It’s the Fourth of July!


What a day, what a celebration. It’s our country’s birthday and we, as Americans, are proud.


When we were kids, Independence Day meant going to the annual parade. Every year it was an extravaganza. We loved all the fife and drum corps, shiny fire engines, bouncing balloons that nearly touched the tops of buildings, and bands that played as they approached the judges’ stand. It was an exciting time.






We’d also go to a carnival where we rode the ferris wheel and merry-go-round and ate cotton candy that stuck to our lips and tongues.

Much later, we watched fireworks from the roof of a playhouse that was attached to our garage. Excitement sizzled in the air as we waited for the fireworks show to begin.


Lightening bugs glided through the night air, looking like miniature lanterns. Sometimes we’d catch them and put them into glass canning jars.


Once the fireworks began, we’d ooo and ahhh over the explosion of colors in the sky. Pinks, greens, blues, purples, oranges, and reds burst into stars, wheels, and long strings of color.




When white flares zoomed into the night sky, we’d cover our ears. The colorless ones made a heck of a lot of noise. When they boomed, it felt like the world was ending. We’d cover our ears and screech.

When the whole sky erupted in multiple colors, patterns, and giant designs, accompanied by a series of loud explosions, we knew it was the grand finale. We’d crane our necks to see if more fireworks were coming but they were over.

It was time to go into the house and get ready for bed. The exciting Fourth of July celebration was over for another year.
Happy Birthday America!

HOW WILL YOU CELEBRATE AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY?  PLEASE TELL IN YOUR COMMENT!