Dear Friends,
Independence Day is upon us: The Fourth of July. It’s a day you probably know well and one that you anticipate with pleasure. Here are some interesting facts about the nation’s birthday you may not know about. FACT ONE: Americans began observing the Fourth of July as early as 1777, but Congress didn’t make it official until 1870, when a billed was passed to establish major state holidays like Christmas, New Year’s and Independence Day. FACT TWO: It is the biggest hot dog holiday of the year (around 155 million will be consumed) though the origin of the hot dog is unknown. FACT THREE: Our Founding Fathers celebrated with a meal of turtle soup, New England poached salmon with egg sauce, green peas and boiled new potatoes, followed by Indian pudding or Apple Pandowdy. FACT FOUR: The Liberty Bell has not been rung since 1864, due to worries about it cracking; instead the bell is tapped 13 times signaling for bells across the country to start ringing. FACT FIVE: Two signers of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on Independence Day, July 4, 1826.
As you plan to celebrate this Independence Day, gather with family and friends; set off a few fireworks; remember those who have shaped our country and our lives; thank God for being alive to celebrate. It was President Ronald Reagan who said so well, “Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that humankind is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people.” Let us be a beacon of hope to the world!
Have a safe 4th and a happy July!
Warmly,
Pastor Peter
Pastor Peter J. Blank
July Newsletter: July 2015