AMERICAN PATRIOT
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FULLSCREEN JUNE 23, 2010
TOP 10 PLACES TO SEE
THE FIREWORKS JEFFERSON AND ADAMS
A FATEFUL FOURTH CRAYOLA COLOR THEM AMERICAN
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AMERICAN PATRIOT TOP 10 PLACES TO SEE
THE FIREWORKS
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6 JEFFERSON AND ADAMS
A FATEFUL FOURTH
MIA HAMM’S NEW GOAL
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AMERICAN PATRIOT
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14 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
15 THIS WEEK IN AMERICAN HISTORY
TOP 10 PLACES TO SEE THE
FIREWORKS Legend has it that John Adams first called for fireworks — “illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more” — to celebrate American Independence. Whatever he said, it worked. Fireworks are now as ubiquitous as hot dogs and the grand old flag on July 4.
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While every town and city is proud of its display, AMERICAN PATRIOT went to the experts for a consensus view of the top 10 places to see the modern day illuminations. In alphabetical order, they are: ADDISON TX
OAHU HI
The northern Dallas suburb hosts a magnificent
On the southern shore of Oahu, more than 50,000
show that can be seen for miles because of the
people watch the show, many from perches in
state’s flatness and lack of humidity. The event
Waikiki and Honolulu many miles away.
generally includes by flyovers of commemorative planes, the patriotic music of military bands, and a live radio simulcast.
ORLANDO FL At Disneyworld, they do fireworks right almost every day. But on July 4th, the Magic Kingdom’s
BOSTON MA
denizens take it up a notch for a great family
On the banks of the Charles River and free to the
show called “Concert In The Sky.”
public, this show starts with a rousing concert from The Boston Pops. Half a million spectators watch from the Cambridge and Boston sides of the river, from the Longfellow Bridge, and from thousands of boats. LAKE TAHOE NV The lake, which straddles Nevada and California, is the home to a show of round, symmetrical, and floral fireworks interspersed with special whistling, spinning devices. Good spots to watch include Lake Tahoe’s paddle wheelers, Baldwin Beach and Nevada Beach State Park . MOUNT RUSHMORE SD Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills provides an heroic background. Works hoist thousands of shells up the rock carving’s face via pulley, then lower them into the canyon behind the monument. The fireworks appear to come from out of nowhere.
PHILADELPHIA PA Welcome America! is Philadelphia’s annual celebration. The ten day showcase of America’s birthplace is punctuated by a huge free concert and three fireworks shows, with the finale at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. SEATTLE WA The Space Needle provides a backdrop for fireworks display all along on the Puget Sound. The biggest single gathering is the Family 4th at Lake Union, which tops off a day of family entertainment Gas Works Park. WASHINGTON DC This “inside the Beltway” extravaganza includes readings of the Declaration of Independence, military parades and activities on the National Mall. Then the National Symphony Orchestra plays patriotic favorites before pyrotechnics light up the sky.
NEW YORK NY Macy’s is responsible for what is generally the biggest display in the nation. The fireworks emanate
A GLIMPSE AT THE 2009 MACY’S FIREWORKS DISPLAY
from six barges on the Hudson River to a soundtrack provided by celebrities of stage and screen. AMERICAN PATRIOT 5
JEFFERSON AND ADAMS
A FATEFUL FOURTH
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Coincidence or fate? On a balmy night in July, two of America’s founding fathers died a few hundred miles apart. On July 4, 1826, the second President and the third President of the United States died on the country’s fiftieth anniversary of the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. Adams, the staunch Federalist feuded constantly with Jefferson, a member of the Democratic-Republicans the rival party of the time. As Washington’s Vice President, Adams disagreed with many of Secretary of State Jefferson’s decisions, and they clashed often. At the same time, as patriots and signers of the Declaration of Independence, they had a grudging admiration for each other and mutual respect for each other’s talents. Jefferson was known for his writing while Adams was generally praised for his oratory; each acknowledged the others’ skills. After Jefferson defeated the incumbent President Adams in the election of 1800, the two men began to mellow toward each other, and held a rich corre-
Daniel Webster delivered a joint two-
spondence during Jefferson’s presidency and on into
hour eulogy at Boston’s famed Faneuil
their long retirements.
Hall. Webster proclaimed, “As their lives themselves were the gifts of Providence,
On that fateful summer evening in 1826, the 90 year
who is not willing to recognize in their
old Adams was residing in Quincy MA 90 years old
happy termination, as well as in their long
while Jefferson, 83 years old, was at his home in
continuance, proofs that our country and
Monticello VA, suffering from what was believed to be
its benefactors are objects of His care?”
kidney disease. As Adams lay in his bed, it was re-
If this were not enough, just five years
ported that his dying words were: “Thomas Jefferson
later, America’s fifth president James
survives.” Adams had no idea that just few hours
Monroe died on July 4th as well.
before, Jefferson himself had also passed away.
AMERICAN PATRIOT 7
The most dangerous animals in the forest don’t live there.
ONLY YOU CAN PR E VE N T W I L D FIRE S. w w w. s m o k e y b e a r. c o m
MIA HAMM’S NEW GOAL 8 AMERICAN PATRIOT
The national enthusiasm for the 2010 World Cup reminds America that soccer is king in the global sporting world. And while it is hardly the national pastime quite yet in the United States, it has grown hugely popular over the last two decades — because of a handful of stars like Mia Hamm. Prior to her Olympic accomplishments, Hamm led her team in four NCAA championships at the University of North Carolina and was named All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year three times in a row. Her UNC number is now retired. Shortly after the 2004 victory in Greece, Hamm was inducted onto FIFA’s list of the 125 greatest living soccer players; she and her teammate Michelle Akers were the only Americans and the only women on the list. After her international successes, Hamm settled down to start a family with her husband, Nomar At age 19, Mia Hamm, became the youngest
Garciaparro, the major league baseball player.
team member to win the FIFA Women’s World
Her new game: she has founded the Mia Hamm
Cup having joined the team at the ripe age of
Foundation. Through it, she pursues two goals.
15. Five years later, Hamm would go on to help
The first is dedicated to bone marrow research —
the U.S. national team secure the gold at the
her brother died of bone cancer — and to raising
1996 Atlanta Olympics. In 1996, she would lead
funds for those who need transplants. The second
the national team in 19 goals and 18 assists. In
is to encourage young women to play sports.
1999, she became the leading scorer in inter-
She intermingles these ends to create events,
national competition outranking both males and
and raise awareness and funds. An inspiration
females in her sport; she was the first U.S. player
to young American girls and boys alike, Hamm
to score 100 goals in their career. In 2004, eight
has become a national icon, presenting herself
years after her star turn in Georgia, Hamm returned
with poise and grace as well as great talent.
to aid the U.S. national team in bringing home the gold this time in Athens, Greece.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MIA HAMM’S FOUNDATION
AMERICAN PATRIOT 9
PLYMOUTH ROCK THE CORNERSTONE
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Visiting a rock has never been so educational! Plymouth Rock is the traditional site of the pilgrims disembarking from the Mayflower in 1620. Located in Plymouth Memorial State Park, Massachusetts, the rock has a constant stream of visitors. Some are surprised by the smallness of the rock, but there is good reason for its diminutive size. When the settlers tried to preserve the it by moving it a safe distance from the shore, the rock split into two as a team of oxen attempted to lift it. Later, the rock was moved to the Pilgrim Hall Museum; this also ended up being a rough trip as it fell from its wagon and acquired a significant crack. Finally, over the years, Plymouth Rock has been depleted by souvenir seekers hoping to take home a tangible piece of their history. Despite its current size, the rock has not lost its significance. It is a symbol of America’s first step away from Britain and toward what became our country. Americans look upon the rock’s glory and message with awe. Currently this icon resides at the waterfront adjacent to the Mayflower II, a replica of the original Mayflower, which carried the Pilgrims all the way from Britain to Massachusetts. While visiting Plymouth
THE LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS by Henry A. Bacon
Rock, tourists can also see artifacts, such as William Bradford’s Bible, carried on the Mayflower in the Pilgrim Hall Museum, or the restoration of Harlow House built in 1677. Several boating tours depart from the Plymouth docks, so visitors can get a true sense of the pilgrimage and see the land from the Pilgrim’s vantage point. Tours of the area give visitors a good sense of the settlement and what it was really like to live in America in 1620. Plymouth Rock was the cornerstone of the United States as it stands today; the gateway into the world America has become. OFFICIAL PARK WEBSITE A VIDEO TOUR OF THE MAYFLOWER II
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COLOR THEM AMERICAN
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Looking for a great kids’ product that are still stamped with “Made in the U.S.A?” Crayola is one of the few children’s companies that still manufactured in this country. With two of its factories located in Pennsylvania, Crayola creates products that focus on color and creativity. The factory located in Easton PA is the company’s home and provides a fun adventure for kids and adults alike. It provides demonstrations has to how products are manufactured. There is even a Color Carousel ride where young artists can explore colors like never before. The company reports that America’s favorite Crayola crayon color is simply blue; cerulean blue a close second and purple is third. Altogether Crayola boasts 120 different crayon colors. Although Crayola is a proud American company, it will still remind kids to think globally every day with its new “Green is More than a Color” line of school supplies. Crayola is setting an excellent example for other leading American companies, a solar farm has been erected at the Easton factory to help reduce tons of greenhouse gases that would otherwise be emitted into the air annually. The company has also installed over 26,000 solar panels thus far. Their colored pencil collection will be the first product to be sold in eco-friendly packaging, and the markers will have black barrels instead of white for easier plastic recycling.
Crayola is one of those hallmark brands every kid loves from the company’s simplest crayons to their new Pop Art Pixies. And just to put parents at ease, the company publishes a comprehensive stain removal tips on their website.
AMERICAN PATRIOT 13
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The flames kindled on the 4th of July 1776 have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism.”
—THOMAS JEFFERSON CO-AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
14 AMERICAN PATRIOT
THIS WEEK IN
AMERICAN HISTORY
1863. The Civil War’s Battle of Gettysburg raged from July 1-3. More than 50,000 died, were wounded, captured, or went missing in the bloodiest fight of the war. Once the Union armies prevailed, the South forever abandoned plans to take the war North. AMERICAN PATRIOT 15
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