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July 4th Celebrations, Yesterday And Today

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July 4, 1825, was the first Independence Day celebration for the Ann Arbor community. After a year of putting the finishing touches on their log cabins, citizens were ready to celébrate with dignity. About 300 persons joined in on that first celebration, as they paraded with the military unit, set up to fight Indians if necessary, down a dusty trail to the location of the Ann Arbor Courthouse. This first celebration was concluded with prayers of thanks by the local ministers for a new community and for the independence of the United States. From the time of this first Ann Arbor celebration the July 4th festivities have grown in size and glamor. In 1901, July 4th brought temperatures of 100 degrees to Ann Arbor, and over 3,000 persons gathered at Whitmore Lake for the holiday celebrations. The day's activities included a picnic for all the community, with home made fried chicken as the specialty for the day. Ann Arbor residents boarded the train early in the morning for the ride to Whtimore, and not till after dark did they journey home again, after a long day of games and community fellowship. Thpse July 4th celebrations in the early 1900's were èentered around a bounteous dinner, the Star-Spangled Banner, musical entertainment from the local talent, and the day was all summêd up as a "gala event." With more elabórate fireworks, Michigan and the entire United States began to face the fire hazards that the 4th of July brought. In 1911, Michigan recorded many tragic accidents on the holiday. There were many fires and children were injured while trying to brighten the 4th of July by themselves. The first 20 years of the century found July the 4th a day of rest and relaxation. Whitmore Lake was the scène of the activities each year, and sunny skies, frolicking children and picnic tables piled high with food were all a part of the yearly event. July 4, 1920, brought other things to the attention of the public besides celebrating Independence Day. Just 20 months after the armistice, American troops were at Gibralter on the Rhine River. This day found America the only nation at war, with the late archenemy Germany. This was the concern of the Americans in 1920. The community celebration for the 4th of July died down during the next 30 years, even in Ann Arbor. Remembrance of the fact that three presients had died on this day came to the attention of the United States. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died July 4, 1826, and on the same day in 1831 James Monroe passed away. Modern aviation took the attention of the public at this time also, while Italian and Polish pilots were trying to set sea flight records on this 4th. In 1930, Americans began a great migration to the seashore, the mountains, and lake resorts to celébrate the nation's birthday. Many people left the city for the holiday, and the family togetherness took over where the community picnics had previously taken precedent. Country clubs in Ann Arbor took over the job of planning the entertainment for July 4th, and everyone was havmg his own little holiday celebration at this time. July 4, 1945, found the nation hard at work. War bond rallies, entertainment for the wounded veterans and a few parades were the main activities of this holiday celebration. Most citizens continued their regular work day to honor those who were fighting for their country. President Traman himself announced he would be hard at work on the holiday. This 4th of July was quiet across the United States. ,__ J Truman proclaimed the independerse of the I Philippine Islands on July 4, 1946, and a flag, symbolic of the end of World War II on Aug. 30, 1945, was raised over the naval base at Yokosuka, I Japan. Americans still had little time for fun and I frolic on July 4, 1950. The Korean Communists I gan a push to take American outposts, and the I United States was at war again. Family travel I to lake cottages and the beaches brought the U.S. I holiday death toll to a high of 783. Twelve years ago, three Ann Arbor M men decided there was a need for more 4th ofl July activities in the city. They set out to I ize the Spirit of '76 Club, which would center its attcntion on raising funds and sponsoring a I works display each year in Ann Arbor. When the club first organized, merchants I sponsored a fireworks display that cost about I $1,300. The show was small, but in 1959 over 20,000 I viewed the fireworks at Buhr Park. Today, the Spirit of '76 Club, with the aid ofl the Pittsfield Business and Professional Women, I is sponsoring a fireworks display for the Ann 1 bor community. The show is costing $4,000 this I year, and will be held at Buhr Park. j N. B. Kelsay, organizer of this year's I ties, said the fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. and I will last about an hour. It is expected that many J persons will view the fireworks from their homes, I as most are aerial, and can be seen from about I three miles away from the park. ) The crowd has decreased the last couple of I years at community celebrations. The 4th of July I has come to mean an extra long weekend for busy I businessmen and their families. The migration to the beach or the lake cottages continúes. Water skiing has taken the place of the group gajnes of the 1900's, and charcoaled steaks have revplaced homemade fried chicken. The schedule of activities for the 4th oi' July has changed considerably over the past 100 years, but still all across the nation most everyone takes a day's rest in honor of the independence oL the United States of America.

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