Every year on July 4 Americans invite friends over, barbecue, and go watch fireworks to celebrate their Independence Day from England. Each July 4 is jam-packed with fireworks, carnivals, fairs, barbecues, concerts, picnics, and baseball games that will keep the whole family entertained. This year, with rough economic times still upon us, we could all use a holiday.

The federal holiday was first established as an unpaid holiday in 1870 by Congress. Later, Congress decided to make it a paid holiday in 1938.

The federal holiday on July 4 was established to celebrate the day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, history does not concur with popular belief about the day the Declaration was signed.

In 1776 the Continental Congress was already in trouble with England. The American Revolution began April 19, 1775 when a shot was fired at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. After that George Washington was declared the Commander in Chief of the American forces and the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought. Thomas Paine also wrote his incredibly famous pamphlet “Common Sense” that helped to mobilize the American colonies against England.

John Adams, the representative of the Continental Congress for Massachusetts, had been trying to convince the Congress for some time to get a declaration of independence passed. However, it was not Adams’ proposal but Richard Henry Lee, the representative from Virginia, who delivered a proposal from the Virginian government for the declaration to the Congress. Richard Henry Lee is one of the ancestors of the famous southern General Robert. E. Lee.

A Committee of Five was then formed to create the Declaration that included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, and – of course – Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson wrote the actual words of the Declaration of Independence which were discussed by the Congress.

Congress voted to separate from England on July 2, 1776, not July 4 as many believe, and debated the wording of the document until July 4. Instead, July 4, 1776 was the day that the Declaration was printed by John Dunlap. Dunlap actually printed twenty-four copies of the Declaration of Independence, one of which was a personal copy for George Washington.

The delegates of Congress did not actually begin to sign the Declaration of Independence until August 2, 1776, a long time after the believed July 4 date. The July 4 date was actually a legend that began early in the nation’s history.

Fifty years after the legendary date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, John Adams – the second president of the United States – and Thomas Jefferson – the third – died within hours of each other. Their deaths added to the romantic legend surrounding the July 4 date. Ultimately the legend makes for a far greater holiday and reason to celebrate.

Image Courtesy of  spirit of america / Shutterstock.com

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Youngstown, U.S.A. — With unprecedented dry weather and fires in so many parts of the country, Phantom Fireworks, the nation’s premier consumer fireworks retailer, urges all fireworks fans to be especially mindful and take extra precautions during any backyard show. It is essential to follow state laws to ensure that fireworks are never used in areas where they have been prohibited by state or local authorities or where the risk of fire is high.

“Phantom wants all our customers and friends to enjoy the fun and excitement of fireworks,” said Bruce J. Zoldan, President of Phantom Fireworks. “But we want them to do so in a safe and careful manner in areas where fireworks use will not endanger the environment. Unseasonably hot temperatures and dry conditions require extra precautions before, during and after a fireworks launch.”

In dry weather areas where the use of fireworks is permitted, Phantom offers the following special tips to ensure a safe, responsible and enjoyable show.

• Whenever possible select a large, paved surface, such as a concrete or asphalt parking lot, as the fireworks launch site. If a paved site is not available, select a dirt area free of grass or vegetation. Keep the fireworks away from any wooded and grassy areas.
• Wet down the launch site at least 30 feet in diameter for ground-based products and 150 feet for aerial products before lighting any fireworks. This will ensure that if errant sparks do hit the ground, they will have a very minimal chance of igniting.
• Always keep a ready source of water available. Phantom recommends a connected hose, but a fire extinguisher or even a bucket of water will suffice.
• Be mindful of windy conditions. Powerful gusts can knock over products or spread sparks outside the soaked area. Sometimes it is necessary to delay launching until high winds subside.
• Appoint one adult as the ‘fireman’ whose job is to watch the fireworks trajectory and make sure that if any sparks touch the ground, no fire is started. The ‘fireman’ should immediately douse any areas where sparks or embers do touch down and should also douse any spent products.
• Never allow minor children to handle or light fireworks. Children should enjoy fireworks by watching from a safe distance, but never by handling the products.
• Keep in mind that pets, especially dogs, often have a negative reaction to the loud noises and bright lights and colors from fireworks. Phantom recommends keeping pets indoors for the duration of any backyard show to muffle the noise and obscure the lights. Owners can also consult their veterinarians for a variety of safe and simple treatments for pets that become distressed during fireworks shows.
• Thoroughly soak and properly dispose of all spent products after the show and clean up leftover debris. It is especially important for pet owners to do so, because some of the chemicals in spent products maybe harmful to pets if consumed. Store any extra or unused fireworks in a fireproof, covered container located away from any homes and building.

During this vulnerable time, Phantom urges that citizens use extra caution and follow all safety rules and especially the dry weather safety tips when using consumer fireworks. This way, you can help ensure a safe and happy Fourth of July for everyone.

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A marvelous palace, following by astonishing gardens, columns, fountains, labyrinths, fire, water, trees, and classic music makes this night at Versailles Palace, a night taken out from a fairy tale.

The Château de Versailles (Versailles Palace) in Paris, France, serves as an iconic symbol of wealth, luxury and beauty. Going back to the time where Louis XIV in 1660’s showed the peak of achievement of the French Monarchy by being the monarch and owner of the palace and the Royal Garden.

The Palace contains an enormous extent of gardens that cover around 800 hectares. Where trees, paths and bushes create a new reality of exuberant beauty.

In 1979, The Palace and the gardens were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Until the 3^rd of September the Castle will be hosting a magnificent  night  that occurs every Saturday, known as “Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes” or the Fountains Night Show.

As night falls, the Versailles Palace transforms into a fairy tale place where everything is possible, combining sights and sounds together transforming the majestic place into a dream. Throughout the night, visitors walk unstoppably through the interminable garden paths. Encountering new areas containing several fountains with different sceneries and lighting.

The water coming from the fountains exposes a magnificent show for the eyes, moving with the sound of music that resonates though the entire place. The fountains are adequate with astonishing installations exposing an incredible elegance impossible to surpass.

After enjoying the fountains shows the night does not end there, but all the visitors gather to the center of the Garden waiting for the amazing closure of the night with a firework display.

The music continues as fireworks begin to appear and explode as if they were playing with the rhythm of the music interpreted by the French baroque music interpreted Reinhard Goebel and his orchestra, the Musica Antiqua Köln.

The night finishes with the last firework and the peoples faces eradicate happiness and amazement.. The young and old know something is certain, which is that everyone enjoyed this amazing night.

There are only two Fountains Night Shows left until the shows are finished.

If you are in Paris, don’t hesitate in missing this amazing night.

The average price for an entry is around  20€.

• 18 years old and older: 22€

• 6-17 years old :18€

• 0-5 years old : Free

• Group: 18€

For further information please visit:

http://www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr/home.php

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