July 4th 2010

Page 2. . . Happy Birthday, America

July 100 years ago To Americans, the month of July is very significant, as it marks the month the country first gained its independence from Great Britain.

However, the month of July is historical outside of America's borders as well. The following notable events occurred both inside and outside of America 100 years ago this month. * On July 1st, baseball's Chicago White Sox, a team that would face scandal within the decade for deliberately losing the World Series, plays their first game at Comiskey Park, a stadium the team would call home for 81 years. * Walter Brookins, a Wright brothers-trained pilot, becomes the first person to fly an airplane to an altitude of one mile when he reaches 6,175 feet on July 9. He was flying his Wright biplane in Atlantic City, NJ. * On July 12, India is deluged with 33 inches of rain in a 24-hour period. That figure would remain a record in India for nearly 95 years until Mumbai received 37 inches of rain in June of 2005.

* Animator William Hanna, who would later co-found American animation studio Hanna-Barbera, is born on July 14. * New York City's first public trip aboard its new "mono-railroad" ends poorly, injuring at least 14 of the 100 passengers onboard when it falls on its side on July 16. * On July 19, baseball's Cy Young, pitching for the Cleveland Indians, becomes the first pitcher to record 500 wins. No pitcher since has accomplished the feat. * Colombia celebrates the centennial of its independence on July 20. * On July 23, Milan is battered by a tornado, killing more than 60 people and causing millions of dollars in damage to the city. * The legend of Paul Bunyan is introduced on a national scale in the first part of a series for the Detroit News-Tribune that runs on July 24. * Minnesota's Split Rock Lighthouse, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, is first lit on July 31.

Firework Alternatives: A large part of July 4th celebrations is making noise and filling the sky with color.

Many people rely on fireworks to add spark to their festivities, but a similar effect can be achieved with noisemakers and confetti, a safe alternative to fireworks. Fill a pie tin with beans, and then top it with another pie tin. Staple and decorate with red, white and blue crepe paper, and you've just made a homemade noisemaker! For color, purchase some construction paper that can be shredded or cut into small pieces. Use it as confetti at backyard bashes.

Happy Birthday, America. . . Page 3

Page 4. . . Happy Birthday, America

by Whitney Bridwell The history of The Star Spangled Banner begins with a poem written in 1814 by an amateur poet. Francis Scott Key was 35 years old when he penned Defence of Fort McHenry after witnessing the attack of Fort McHenry by Royal Navy ships in Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812.

The tune used for the anthem came from a popular British drinking song written

by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreonitic Society, a social club for gentlemen in London.

The drinking song had already had already become popular in the United States before being teamed with Key’s poem.

Soon after the joining of the song and poem, The Star Spangled Banner became a well known patriotic song.

The original song has four stanzas; however, the first stanza is the most commonly used version.

In September of 1814, Key and John Stuart Skinner (who was an American prisoner-exchange agent) set sail from Baltimore aboard the HMS Minden on a mission approved by President Madison.

The plan was to secure the release of Dr. William Beanes, a physician in Upper Marlboro, and a friend of Key who had been captured.

The Star Spangled Banner was recognized by the Navy for its official use in 1889 and by the President in 1916. The tune didn’t become our national anthem until a congressional resolution (46 Stat.

1508, codified at 36 U.S.C. § 301) was passed on March 3, 1931 by President Herbert Hoover.

Before the congressional resolution, other songs had served as the ‘anthem’. My Country, ‘Tis of Thee served as a de facto national anthem and Hail, Columbia served as the de facto national anthem from President Washington’s

time through the 18th and 19th centuries. The duo transferred to the British flagship HMS Tonnant and spoke with Major General Robert Ross and Admiral Alexander Cochrane, discussing war plans. While the Major General and Admiral refused to release the men at first, they soon changed their minds after being shown letters by wounded British soldiers praising Beanes and other Americans for their kindness.

Key and Skinner let it slip that they had heard details from British soldiers about an attack on Baltimore and were held captive on first the HMS Surprise and later on HMS Minden until the bombardment. The night of the bombardment, Key observed the American fort’s smaller storm flag was raised, but by the end of the attack, the storm flag had been replaced by a larger flag.

The sight of the American flag and victory inspired Key. The flag, with its fifteen stars and stripes, later became known as The Star Spangled Banner Flag and can be found on display at the National Museum of American History. It has been restored twice; once in 1914 by Amelia Fowler and again in 1998 for conservation reasons.

Still sitting aboard the ship the morning after the bombardment, Key wrote a poem and kept it tucked inside a pocket. By evening, he and Skinner were released in Baltimore. He continued to work on the poem in his hotel room and titled the work Defence of Fort McHenry. Much of the idea for the poem and some of the wording came from an earlier poem by Key called Anacreon in Heaven which is said to have been written in honor of Stephen Decatur and Charles Stewart on their return from the First Barbary War. After completing Defence of Fort McHenry, Key handed

the poem to his brother-in-law, Judge Joseph H. Nicholson.

Nicholson noted that the poem fit with the popular tune of The Anacreon Song and took it to a printer in Baltimore, who anonymously printed broadside copies of it (the first known printing of the song) on September 17. Of the original copies made by the anonymous printer, only two known copies survive.

The song quickly gained popularity with the help of several newspapers printing it. Soon after publication, Thomas Carr of the Carr Music Store in Baltimore published the words and music together, titled The Star-Spangled Banner. Popularity increased further and performances of the song started in October.

By the end of July in 1889, Secretary of the Navy Benjamin F. Tracy signed General Order #374 making the song the official tune to be played when raising the flag. In 1916, President Wilson ordered the song to be played at military and other appropriate occasions.

It was not until November of 1929, when Robert Ripley drew a panel in his syndicated cartoon, Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, stating that “Believe It or Not, America has no national anthem,” that John Philip Sousa took notice of this fact, and in 1931, stated

that the music of The Star Spangled Banner “...is the spirit of the music that inspires”.

On March 3, 1931, President Hoover passed a law adopting The Star Spangled Banner as the official national anthem of the United States.

It is custom in the United States that during a rendition of the national anthem, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hand over their heart. Individuals in uniform should give the military salute on the first note of the anthem and remain in that position until the last

note is played.

The Star Spangled Banner has gained worldwide popularity and has been translated into German, Hebrew, Yiddish, Spanish, French, Somoan, Irish and the third verse has been translated into Latin.

Note: Information for this story was found on wikipedia.com and americanhistory.si.edu. If you would like to hear Anacreon In Heaven, visit http:// a m e r i c a n h i s t o r y. s i . e d u / starspangledbanner/themelody.aspx.

Happy Birthday, America. . . Page 5

The American tradition that lights up the sky

by Staff An American tradition that lights up the night’s sky in celebration of its nation’s freedom began nearly 2,500 years ago in eastern Asia.

As early as the Han Dynasty of 206 BC in ancient China, fireworks have been in existence and have served as a vessel of celebration for many spectacular events across the globe.

Roasting bamboo over an open fire made the world’s first firecracker, and the Chinese culture used them to ward off any evil spirits.

By the 10th century, Taoist monks had developed the use of gunpowder into fireworks and soon the Chinese were using them to celebrate every special event and occasion, including birthdays, weddings and New Year’s celebrations.

In 1777 for the first Independence Day celebrations in America, American settlers brought with them fireworks and black powder that they used in the celebration. Twelve years

later, a celebration of fireworks was also lighted in the sky at President George Washington’s inauguration.

Today, China remains the largest exporter and manufacturer of fireworks. It is estimated that the United States will import more than $140 million worth of fireworks this year alone. In 2005, they shipped approximately 6 million cases to the United States.

The largest fireworks show is held in Macau, China for five nights during September and October. Last year, over 90 international teams competed from countries such as China, Thailand, the Philippines, France and Australia to name a few.

Started in 1989 with only five teams, the “Macau International Fireworks Display Contest” is held on the waterfront with two teams competing each night during the fiveweek long contest.

Did You Know?

Fireworks are known and loved all over the world. They're often a part of festivals and holidays, adding excitement and spectacle. The invention of fireworks is credited to the Chinese.

The first fireworks were actually green bamboo that were thrown into fires to scare spirits away in ancient China, called "pas chuk." It is believed that gunpowder was discovered accidentally by a Chinese alchemist who mixed sulphur and salt peter (potassium nitrate) over a fire. The Chinese name for gunpowder is "huo yao" (fire chemical).

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Page 6. . . Happy Birthday, America

1. 150 million—that’s the number of hot dogs the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates will be consumed by Americans on the Fourth of July.

2. In July 1776, there were an estimated 2.5 million individuals living in the colonies.

Now, 230 years later, the estimated total American population is at nearly 296.5 million.

3. In 1870, Independence Day became an unpaid holiday for federal employees The United States Congress changed the date to a paid holiday in 1941.

4. The United States national

anthem “The Star-Spangled on top.

Banner” is set to the tune of an old English drinking song, 8. The world’s first firecracker was made by roasting “To Anacreon in Heaven.” bamboo to produce the loud 5. Congress did not adopt popping sounds to frighten Uncle Sam as a national sym- away evil spirits in ancient bol until 1961, even though he China during the Han Dynasty was used to support the war (206 B.C. - A.D. 220). times as early as 1812.

9. For the fourth of July in 6. The U.S. flag should be 1778, General George Washdisplayed only from sunrise to ington celebrated the new sunset unless the flag is illu- holiday by giving his soldiers a double ration of rum for the minated. day and an artillery salute.

7. When the American flag is displayed on the same flagpole 10. John Hancock was the as another flag, like a state, first person to sign the Declacity or community flag, the ration of Independence and his American flag must always be signature is larger and in the

center of page because he was president of the Congress at the time. All the other members signed by state delegation across five columns ranging from the northernmost state to the southernmost.

13. In 1781, Massachusetts was the first legislature to recognize Independence Day.

14. In 1779, July 4 fell on a Sunday, so the holiday was celebrated on Monday, July 5.

(Information compiled from 11. The Continental Congress various online resources.) voted for independence on July 2, 1776, and adopted the Declaration of Independence two days later on the Fourth of July.

12. There is one place in the entire United States named “patriot” and that is Patriot, Indiana, with a population of 196.

Happy Birthday, America. . . Page 7

Numerous myths and rumors circulate about American presidents. Learn the truth behind some of the most famous stories.

•The teddy bear was named after Theodore Roosevelt.

True.

The teddy bear was inspired by a political cartoon of then-President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt sparing a bear’s life during a hunting trip.

The bear became the mascot for Roosevelt’s reelection campaign, and sales surged. A toymaker asked Roosevelt for permission to name the bear after him, and a toy legend was born.

•As a boy, George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and then confessed the truth to his father.

False.

This famous myth was cre-

ated by one of the first biographers of Washington, Mason Locke Weems. Weems was working on a book about Washington shortly after the president’s death, and since many details were not known about his early life, Weems sought to fill in the blanks himself.

•George Washington had a set of false teeth made of wood.

False.

Washington actually had several sets of dentures, but none were made of wood.

One set was made of gold and hippopotamus ivory and is now on display in the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore.

•President Zachary Taylor died after eating cherries and milk.

True.

Taylor became ill in 1850

after eating cherries and milk during a hot Fourth of July celebration in Washington, D.C. The 12th president died on July 9.

It is believed that some of the food was contaminated by cholera, typhoid, or another type of bacteria.

•President William Howard Taft was so large that he had a specially-made bathtub installed to accommodate his size.

True.

The 6’2” Taft weighed over 300 pounds and could not fit

in a standard tub. When a customized one was installed, four full-grown men (fully clothed) were able to pose inside it.

•At a March 2002 presidential gala, George W. Bush continued on page 15

Page 8. . . Happy Birthday, America

Fourth of July family fun and fireworks

By Jeannette Ward FAMILY FUN - There are many different ways to celebrate the Forth of July. Some cities have firework shows, others have parades, and others have community picnics.

For the last decade, or more, my family has enjoyed all of these activities in one small town. Runaway Bay. When the kids were small, we used to go out to Bay Landing and enjoy the family time before watching the fireworks display put on by the Runaway Bay Greater Alliance. Since then, we have tried to make the Runaway Bay 4th Fest part of our celebration. There is plenty to enjoy, including the golf cart parade, the music, the flag ceremony, the venders....the list goes on.

For the last couple of years, the kids have gone their separate ways and I have been left to cover the event for the media with no family by my side.

Even though that sounds tragically sad - it is not. I was quickly adopted by the Runaway Bay people.

In 2008, I covered the festival and was invited by a total stranger to go to her home and photograph the fireworks lake side. The pictures were BEAUTIFUL and I had a great time. It’s a photographers dream. Just me and my camera.

Last year, while attending the event, I was invited to the Shawn’s home for dinner and fellowship. There was no way I was turning down free food and fun, so I attended and was treated like one of the family.

After the meal, we all marveled at the firework’s display as the children played.

This year, I’m sure there will be someone to take me in.

That is just the way the people are in Runaway Bay. If you have never attended the event, I would suggest adding it to your list of family traditions this year.

FIREWORKS - Everyone enjoys fireworks, particularly

in the festive Fourth of July season. However, our family is jinxed, and we only look at them from afar.

When my father was growing up, a friend of his had his hand blown off after trying to retrieve a lighter that had

cause the swelling cut off her air supply.

Ten years later, we tried the ball park display again. We parked WAY in the back and sat in the bed of the pick-up to watch. Low and behold, we were struck again. It was my

caught near a “home display,” doesn’t mean others can’t participate and enjoy a home show in a safe way. The following are some tips on firework safety by the National Council on Fireworks Safety.

The National Council on

fallen into a box of fire works.

Hearing that story as a child didn’t make us a fan of celebrating with fireworks.

I can also remember some of the “mean boys” in our neighborhood, terrorizing toads by throwing Black Cats at them. The site of frog guts on their shoes still haunts me.

Fast forward - I am now married and at Bay Landing enjoying the fireworks display. After the show, we gathered around the ball field at the park and were watching the locals fire off their cannons and rockets.

While sitting there, my sister-in-law was hit in the chest by a rogue bottle rocket. She had to go to the hospital be-

turn.

A roman candle came right for me and was lodged under my glasses. It exploded in my face. I lost my eyebrow, my glasses, and some of the vision in that eye. The children who were sitting beside me also received burns and even bruises when I pushed them out of the truck bed trying to get them away from me. I didn’t realize my hair was on fire until one of the kids told me.

If that wasn’t enough to declare our family fireworks jinxed - two years ago, my daughter was hit while attending a friend’s display. She lost two handfuls of hair.

Now, just because we are jinxed, and therefore won’t be

Fireworks Safety recommends that you only buy consumer fireworks from a licensed store or stand.

Never buy fireworks from an individual’s house or from someone on the street. Such fireworks are likely to be illegal explosives that can seriously injure you.

Consumer fireworks regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission are packaged in bright colors and have safety warnings on the packaging. The packaging sets forth the country of origin, which is normally China.

Typical consumer fireworks include fountains, cones, sparklers, fire crackers, bottle rockets and multiple

tube products.

Illegal explosives are often unpackaged and are wrapped with plain brown paper. They are very unlikely to have any safety warnings, or place of manufacture.

Consumer fireworks, if used in accordance with their instructions, are very safe. Injuries from consumer fireworks have shown a dramatic decrease over the past twenty years, despite an astonishing increase in usage by consumers.

The National Council urges consumers to follow these other important safety tips: • Only use fireworks outdoors.

• Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.

• Children under age 16 should only use fireworks with ADULT SUPERVISION. • Always have a bucket of water or water hose nearby.

• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix!

• Parents should pay special attention to children using sparklers.

Sparklers reach temperatures up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. Children should not touch the lit portion of sparklers, throw them or play games with them. Sparklers can be dangerous if used improperly.

“Many times consumers don’t prepare for the evening’s fireworks display” says Ralph Apel, President of the National Council on Fireworks Safety.

“The designated shooter should prepare a shooting area, assess how many people will be watching the display and lay out a spectator area that is far enough away from the shooting site. The shooter should carefully read the label of each firework and understand exactly what it will do.

Preplanning makes for a safe and fun backyard fireworks display.”

Enjoy celebrating the heritage of our great country with fireworks, but KNOW YOUR FIREWORKS!

Happy Birthday, America. . . Page 9

by J.D. Clark On the Fourth of July, flags are certain to be seen in almost every imaginable location.

Many people, however, do not know proper flag etiquette.

The following information comes from www.usflag.org: •The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.

It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

•The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speaker’s desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white, and red stripes is available for these purposes.

The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

•The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

•The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except the flag patch that may be used on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations.

•The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.

•The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

•When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting

hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

•The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

•When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June •Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about this service.

Displaying the Flag Outdoors •When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

•When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag- of a state, community, society, or Scout unit- the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

•When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag’s union should be farthest from the building.

•When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height

and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor, to its own right.

•The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.

•No other flag ever should be placed above it.

•The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.

•When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

Raising and Lowering the Flag •The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.

•The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

Displaying the Flag Indoors •When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.

•The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, lo-

calities, or societies are grouped for display.

•When one flag is used with the flag of the United States and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.

•When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag’s union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag’s own right, and to the observer’s left.

Parading and Saluting the Flag •When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to the right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.

The Salute •To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to the left shoulder, hand over the heart.

Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem •The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.

•When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note.

The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

DID YOU KNOW...

-“We the people,” the first three words of the Preamble, is one of the most quoted and referenced sections of the Constitution.

-The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation.

-The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America.

-The Constitution was completed on September 17, 1787.

-The constitution was adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was later ratified by special conventions in each state.

-The Constitution took effect on March 4, 1789.

Page 10. . . Happy Birthday, America

United States Constitutional Highlights

by Staff Most Americans know what the Constitution is, but how many of us remember what it says? This article is designed to a be a quick refresher on what is considered to be one of history’s most important documents.

Some highlights of the United States Constitution include the preamble, articles creating the three branches of government, and the Bill of Rights.

While the preamble of the constitution does not confer any power, the first seven words describe to whom the power of the government really belongs.

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union.

The first three articles set up the separation of powers by establishing the three branches of government. Congress, the Executive Branch and the Judiciary are the three branches of government that were established all those years ago so there would be a check system, keeping each department from overstepping boundaries.

The fourth article provides for admission of additional states and guarantees that each state may have a republican form of government. The fifth article allows for amendments to the constitution.

Many of the 26 amendments were brought into effect

by Supreme Court decisions, but the first ten were instated within two years of the signing of the federal Constitution, and are called the Bill of Rights.

The First Amendment guarantees freedom: freedom of worship, speech, the press, assembly, and of petition to the government for redressing of grievances. The Second Amendment allows citizens to openly bear arms.

The Third Amendment allows citizens freedom from quartering soldiers in a house without the owner’s consent,

and the Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable search and seizure.

The Fifth Amendment states no person shall be held for a “capital or otherwise infamous crime” without proper indictment, face double jeopardy for the same offense, testify against himself, or “be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.”

The right of a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in criminal proceedings is

guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment, and the Seventh Amendment states individuals have the right of trial by jury in almost all common-law suits.

The Eighth Amendment disallows excessive bail, fines and “cruel and unusual” punishment, and the Ninth Amendment states “The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people,” states the Tenth Amendment.

Other noteworthy Amendments are the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, which abolished slavery, guaranteed civil rights and suffrage to citizens, including former slaves.

Income tax was authorized

by the Sixteenth Amendment, and the Eighteenth Amendment established prohibition.

Prohibition was then repealed by the Twenty-first Amendment.

Woman suffrage was granted by the Nineteenth Amendment, and poll taxes and other taxes that were voting requirements were abolished by the Twenty-fourth Amendment. The Twentysixth Amendment lowered the voting age to 18 years old.

Happy Birthday, America. . . Page 11

Page 12. . . Happy Birthday, America

A lesson in history: the Declaration of Independence

by Whitney Bridwell Concluding the series on the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, this week’s edition will feature the remaining eight men who signed the important document, forever changing the history of the United States.

For a more detailed biography on each of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, visit www.us history.org.

Samuel Huntington represented Connecticut at the Continental Congress.

Self-taught, he gained admittance to the Bar of Connecticut by the time he was 23 years of age, and devoted the majority of his life to serving in public offices such as King’s attorney, tax collector, town-meeting moderator, and Justice of the Peace in Norwich, Connecticut.

By 1773, Huntington was appointed to the Superior Court of Connecticut. He was active with the Sons of Liberty in Connecticut and decided to follow a legislative course in his political career. By 1776, he had been elected to Connecticut’s Upper House of the Assembly and served on the Council of Safety. He was also selected to serve as a delegate to the Continental Congress the same year.

During his time on the Continental Congress, Huntington served two terms as President of the Congress. It was during this time that the Articles of Confederation were adopted. In 1784, he headed back to Connecticut and was elected Lieutenant Governor of the State, which included the duties of Chief Judge of its Superior Court,

followed by being elected Governor of Connecticut.

Under his authority as Governor, he used his popularity to help influence industry and develop roads within Connecticut. His popularity continued to climb and he remained in office until his death in 1796.

William Williams also represented Connecticut at the Continental Congress.

Having obtained a common school education, Williams was noted as a successful merchant in his time, and by the time he was 20 years of age, had attended Harvard and graduated in merchant studies.

His father, a pastor of the First Congregational Church in Lebanon, CT, taught Williams about theology. Four years into his studies with his father, Williams joined his dad’s cousin in the French and Indian War at Lake George.

Upon returning to Lebanon, he worked as a merchant and took a position as town clerk, where he remained for 44 years. For twenty five years, during the same time period, he served as a selectman, and also worked in the provincial and state legislature for four years.

In his position with the State Legislature, Williams worked as a councilor, member, and Speaker of the House.

By 1776, he was elected to the Continental Congress, but arrived too late to vote for Independence. He did, however, make it to the Continental Congress on time to sign the Declaration of Independence, and was appointed as a member of the committee to frame the Articles of Confederation.

By 1777, he was selected to serve on the Board of War, and following the war, he headed to the Hartford Convention and helped in ratifying the Federal Constitution. For the remainder of his life, Williams worked as a County Court judge.

Roger Sherman represented Connecticut at the Continental Congress.

With a limited education in what was considered a frontier town, Sherman learned from books in his father’s library and built a grammar school at the age of 13. A local parish minister, Reverand Samuel Danbar, who had been educated at Harvard, helped Sherman learn mathematics, sciences, literature, and philosophy.

In 1743, Sherman took his first political position, serving as surveyor of New Haven County, and later w a s commissioned to consult a

lawyer regarding a petition before t h e court. After having examined Sherman’s notes, the lawyer convinced his to set up a law practice. By the age of 21, Sherman was active in civic and religious affairs in Connecticut, and along with his brother, opened the first store in New Milford, CT. He served as the town clerk

in New Milford and lobbied at the provincial assembly on the town’s behalf. He wrote and published an almanac for his small town each year between 1750 and 1761, and gained popularity for his work among his peers. After being accepted to the Bar in 1754, he served as Justice of the Peace, was elected to General Assembly to represent New Milford, was a Commisary for the Connecticut troops, elected to Upper and Lower House offices, was Judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut, elected to Continental Congress, was recognized as a distinguished member of the Constitutional Convention, and was elected as a U.S. Senator for Connecticut until his death in 1793.

Oliver Wolcott also represented C o n necticut at the Continental Congress.

Attending Yale College

in the studies of soldier, sheriff, and judge; he was commissioned by New York Governor Clinton to form a volunteer militia to assist in the French and Indian War. Upon graduation from Yale, he proceeded to serve as Captain of the volunteer militia. Following his effort within

the war, he studied medicine with his brother, and soon after was appointed Sheriff of Litchfield County in Connecticut. For the next 20 years, he remained in the position of Sheriff, and by 1771, rejoined the militia for the revolution.

He worked his way up to the position of Major, later as a Colonel in the Connecticut militia, and before the war ended, had become a Brigadier General under command of the Continental Armies.

Throughout his time in political offices Wolcott served as Commissioner of Indian Affairs, was a delegate to the Continental Congress, and served as Lieutenant Governor and Governor for the state of Connecticut.

Charles Carroll represented Maryland at the Continental Congress in 1776.

Born into a wealthy family, he was sent to France at the age of 8 to attend a Jesuit college. At the age of 17, he had acquired his college education, graduating from the College of Louis the Grande and continued his studies in Europe until the age of 28. Returning to America, he immediately used his education and experience from overseas to join in the radical cause with American patriots. He became active with the secretary of the colony of Maryland to publish a series of newspaper articles protesting the British tax on the colonies without representation, although at the time, his work with the secretary was done anonymously.

In his political career, continued on page 13

Happy Birthday, America. . . Page 13

continued from page 12 Carroll served on the first Committee of Safety in 1775, along with the Provincial Congress, and by 1776, headed to the Continental Congress where he was enlisted in a diplomatic mission to Canada with Franklin and Chase.

Upon his return, he joined in the revolution and represented Maryland in the Continental Congress when he signed the Declaration of Independence.

He then served on the Board of War, and assisted in framing a constitution for Maryland and helped with the formation of the state government.

By 1781, he was elected to the Maryland Senate, and seven years later to the Federal Congress before returning to the State Senate, where he retired in 1800. Carroll died in 1832 at the age of 95, the last of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Stone also represented Maryland at the Continental Congress.

Educated by a Scottish school-master, and later at the law office of Thomas Johnson, he was admitted to the Bar in 1764 and began a practice in Frederick, Maryland.

Elected to the Continental Congress in 1775, little information on Stone can be found, except that he was a member of a committee in charge of framing the Articles of Confederation and signed the Declaration of Independence. In 1783, he was re-elected to Congress, and at the end of his term, retired. He was also elected to attend the Constitutional Convention in 1787, but due to his wife’s failing health, declined the invitation. Later that year, his wife passed away, and Stone decided to

travel to England. While waiting in Alexandria for the ship that would take him to England, Stone died at the age of 44.

Samuel Chase represented Maryland at the Continental Congress from 1774-1778.

Obtaining a classical education in law in Baltimore, he started his law practice in Annapolis. By 1774, he served as a representative of Maryland at the Continental Congress and was re-elected to the Congress in 1775. During his second term with the Continental Congress, Chase moved to Baltimore and was appointed Chief Justice of the Criminal Court of the district. He later served as Chief Justice of Maryland, and in 1796, was apppointed Judge of the Supreme Court of the United

States, where he remained until his death in 1811.

William Paca also represented Maryland at the Continental Congress during the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

At the age of 15, Paca attended Philadelphia College, following his tutoring at home.

He graduated from Philadelphia College at the age of 18 with his masters degree. He headed to Annapolis where he studied law under the direction of an eminent lawyer, and trained at the Inner Temple in England before being admitted to the Bar of Maryland.

Paca is known for his writings against a poll-tax, which originated from the Royal Governor. By the late 1770s, he was a local leader in the patriot movement. The follow-

Though July 4 is the day America celebrates its independence, many Americans might be surprised to learn the Declaration of Independence was not actually signed on July 4, 1776.

In fact, July 4 was simply the day a revised and much debated Declaration of Independence was finally approved by Congress. Many delegates did not actually sign the document until August 2, 1776, a day that currently bears no significance in the United States.

Oddly enough, while many Americans might not be aware of what truly happened on July 4, 1776, historians have noted in the decades after the Declaration was signed many of the delegates themselves mistakenly believed they had signed it on July 4. Although July 4 may bear little actual significance as to the signing of the Declaration, the day does bear significance with respect to two of its most famed signees, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

In a strange coincidence, both Adams and Jefferson passed away on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after Congress approved the Declaration.

ing year, he was elected to the State Legislature of Maryland, and by 1774, was appointed to the Continental Congress, where he signed the Declaration of Independence and served until 1779.

Upon completion of his duties with the Continental

Congress, he was appointed Chief Justice of Maryland, and in 1782, was elected to serve as Governor for the state. In 1789, he was appointed to his last political position as Federal District Judge for the State of Maryland, and remained there until his death.

Page 14. . . Happy Birthday, America

Happy Birthday, America. . . Page 15

continued from page 7 waved excitedly to the blind singer Stevie Wonder.

False.

The Washington Post reported this story, but no one sitting near the president remembered the incident, and the videotape of the banquet simply showed Bush smiling and raising his open hand to someone.

•Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope during the train ride from Washington, D.C., to Gettysburg.

False.

Lincoln was known for working on his speeches carefully, and it is reported that the

Bridwell Publishing Co. Publisher: Keith Bridwell Photo Editor: Jo Gilbreath Pagination Director: Francine West Reporters: Jeannette Ward, Whitney Bridwell Front Cover Design by: Jo Gilbreath Design & Layout by: Francine West

Gettysburg Address was no different.

Lincoln certainly made revisions to the text after arriving in Gettysburg, but the train ride would have been too bumpy for any writing.

•Thousands of German citizens laughed at John F. Kennedy during a 1963 speech at the Berlin Wall when he said, “Ich sin ein

Berliner,” which translates to “I am a jelly doughnut.”

False.

A professional interpreter translated “I am a Berliner” to “Ich sin ein Berliner” so that Kennedy could express his love for the people of the city.

However, Berliner is also a word that can refer to a type of pastry, so a rumor quickly circulated that this is what

Kennedy had said.

•President Gerald Ford once worked as a fashion model.

True.

Ford appeared as a model alongside a girlfriend in Cosmopolitan and Look magazines in the early 1940s. In 1948, he married Betty Bloomer Warren, who had also worked as a fashion model.

•Harry Truman’s middle name was simply the letter “S.” True.

Truman’s parents named him Harry after a maternal uncle. The letter “S” was chosen as the middle initial because both grandfathers had a name starting with the letter.

Information gathered from www.encarta.msn.com.