Fourth of July brings out the patriotic side in all of us

Good morning, everybody, and welcome back to another Cecil’s World in Print. The Fourth of July is coming up this Friday and that means it is time to fire up the old grill.

I want to take time to say happy birthday, America. Let’s all celebrate Independence Day and the birth of this great country we live in. This is the time to celebrate with friends and family and give thanks for the freedom we have in this country. My neighbor and I are getting ready for our big neighborhood cookout Saturday. My granddaughter will be here for her first Fourth of July celebration and to celebrate her first birthday. I can’t wait. Last year, we had nearly 100 people and it gets bigger every year. It’s a hamburger and hot dog cook-out but it turns into more than just that. All the neighbors bring something, everything from chicken bog to homemade ice cream. I am talking about a big-time cookout.

Since we are talking about Independence Day, did you know there are only four American holidays that are still celebrated on their proper calendar days? Can you name them? Independence Day always comes on the Fourth of July, Halloween is still celebrated Oct. 31, Christmas is always Dec. 25 and New Year’ Day falls on whatever day Jan. 1 falls on. As you well know, the Fourth of July is celebrated with parades and pageants, patriotic speeches, organized firing of guns and cannons, and, of course, the display of fireworks.

When the 20th century arrived, the concern for safety restricted a number of these celebrations. These days, if you fire a gun or cannon in your community, you may end up in jail. Also remember, before shooting any fireworks, make sure you check on the city ordinances where you live. It is illegal to shoot fireworks in some cities, even though they have fireworks stores selling them. In Surfside Beach, where I live, you can only shoot fireworks once a year and that is on July 4. If you are caught shooting fireworks any other time, the fine is $465.

The Fourth of July holiday was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was read aloud, city bells rang and bands played. But did you know the Fourth of July was not declared a legal holiday until July 4, 1941? I do want to say thanks to the 1941 Congressional leaders for making the Fourth of July a legal holiday.

Why, you ask? To celebrate American’s birthday, to have a big cook out and, of course, to get a day off from work. No matter what you do to celebrate the Fourth of July, make sure you remember the real meaning of the holiday: to celebrate America’s birthday. I love living in America. Happy birthday, U.S. of A.

It’s time for me to go grocery shopping, I only have a few more days before our big neighborhood cookout and I have to pick up the burgers and dogs. Until next week, make sure you have a safe Fourth of July, and I’ll see you back here next week, right here in the Morning News and on the tube.

— Cecil Chandler is a veteran reporter at WBTW News13. His column appears Mondays in the Morning News.