A Tale of Two Countries
© Meg Greene Malvasi
July is an important month for the peoples of the United States and France. During July, both countries celebrate their independence from monarchy and the establishment of a republican form of government. To commemorate these events, each country has designated a day in July as a national holiday. For the United States, of course, it's the Fourth of July, the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. For the French, July 14, commonly known as "Bastille Day," is the day of national celebration. Over the years, the American and French people have developed many symbols, or representations, to help commemorate these momentous occasions in their history.
The first Fourth of July celebration was held in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, one year after the Declaration of Independence was signed. At noon, warships stationed along the Philadelphia docks fired a thirteen-gun salute in honor of the thirteen colonies. Later that evening, roaring bonfires and fireworks displays lit the evening skies. Excited by the spectacle, John Adams, the Congressional delegate from Massachusetts, exclaimed it was "the most splendid illumination I ever saw." Many families also put lighted candles in their windows to show support for the soldiers still fighting for America's independence.
The first American flag also made its appearance in 1777. The thirteen alternating red and white stripes were offset by a bright blue field containing thirteen stars, one to represent each colony. Congress later passed a resolution that with the admission of each new state to the Union, a new star and a new stripe would be added. By 1818, however, Congress realized that if this law were followed, the national flag would quickly become too large and unwieldy! Instead, Congress agreed to add a single star for every new state, while the number of stripes would always remain thirteen in honor of the original thirteen colonies.
The painting "The Spirit of '76" is among the most familiar symbols of American independence. The picture was the work of an Ohio carriage painter named Archibald Willard. One day, in 1871, Willard saw three young boys-- two drummers and a fife (a small flute) player getting to ready to march in the local Fourth of July parade. Willard thought the image of the three young musicians would be a good subject for a painting. Instead of the comic scene Willard originally envisioned, though, the painting became more serious and patriotic in nature. Six years later, in 1877, "The Spirit of '76" was finished. It immediately attained great popularity, which it has never lost. Even today, "The Spirit of `76" is reproduced on everything from postcards to dishes to towels!
The first Fourth of July celebration was held in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, one year after the Declaration of Independence was signed. At noon, warships stationed along the Philadelphia docks fired a thirteen-gun salute in honor of the thirteen colonies. Later that evening, roaring bonfires and fireworks displays lit the evening skies. Excited by the spectacle, John Adams, the Congressional delegate from Massachusetts, exclaimed it was "the most splendid illumination I ever saw." Many families also put lighted candles in their windows to show support for the soldiers still fighting for America's independence.
The first American flag also made its appearance in 1777. The thirteen alternating red and white stripes were offset by a bright blue field containing thirteen stars, one to represent each colony. Congress later passed a resolution that with the admission of each new state to the Union, a new star and a new stripe would be added. By 1818, however, Congress realized that if this law were followed, the national flag would quickly become too large and unwieldy! Instead, Congress agreed to add a single star for every new state, while the number of stripes would always remain thirteen in honor of the original thirteen colonies.
The painting "The Spirit of '76" is among the most familiar symbols of American independence. The picture was the work of an Ohio carriage painter named Archibald Willard. One day, in 1871, Willard saw three young boys-- two drummers and a fife (a small flute) player getting to ready to march in the local Fourth of July parade. Willard thought the image of the three young musicians would be a good subject for a painting. Instead of the comic scene Willard originally envisioned, though, the painting became more serious and patriotic in nature. Six years later, in 1877, "The Spirit of '76" was finished. It immediately attained great popularity, which it has never lost. Even today, "The Spirit of `76" is reproduced on everything from postcards to dishes to towels!
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The copyright of the article A Tale of Two Countries in History For Children is owned by Meg Greene Malvasi. Permission to republish A Tale of Two Countries in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
