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

The article Independence Day, The History of July 4 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Washington, U.S.A. — As the Independence Day holiday approaches and families enjoy time together in pools across the country, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is sharing some sobering statistics on the number of drownings during previous July 4th holidays. CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum is reminding parents and caregivers to pool safely during upcoming pool parties and celebrations with family and friends.

“Along with fireworks, spending time in the pool is a traditional July 4th activity for many families,” Chairman Tenenbaum said. “Child drownings are a preventable tragedy, so we encourage all families who are planning to spend time in pools and spas over the Independence Day holiday and all summer to adopt as many safety steps as possible. You never know which safety step will save a life—until it does.”

According to analysis of media reports by USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming, in 2011, there were 25 drowning incidents involving children younger than 15 reported over the week of the July 4 holiday (June 30 through July 6). In 2010, 24 drowning incidents were reported during that same week. CPSC reports that annually there are about 390 pool or spa-related drownings for children younger than 15. Another 5,200 children of that age go to hospital emergency rooms for near-drowning injuries. An unknown number of children are seriously brain-damaged.

CPSC’s Pool Safely campaign (www.PoolSafely.gov) is a national public education effort to reduce child drownings, near-drownings and entrapments in swimming pools and spas. The campaign’s message is that Simple Steps Save Lives. Simple water steps that could help families avoid a tragedy this holiday include:

Staying Close, Being Alert and Watching Children in and Around the Pool

• Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your children closely around all bodies of water
• Teach children basic water safety tips
• Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
• Have a telephone close by when you or your family are using a pool or spa
• If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
• Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighborsLearning and Practicing Water Safety Skills

Learning and Practicing Water Safety Skills

• Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly
• Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency
• Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim

Having the Appropriate Equipment for Your Pool or Spa

• Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools
• Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa
• If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install and use a door or pool alarm
• Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order
• Ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal standards, and ask your pool service provider if you do not know
• Have lifesaving equipment such as life rings, floats or a reaching pole available and easily accessible

Image Courtesy of  spirit of america / Shutterstock.com

The article July 4: Past Drownings Serve as Warning this Independence Day appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Washington, U.S.A. — According to a new U.S. extraterrestrial survey from National Geographic Channel (NGC), more than 80 million Americans are certain that UFOs exist. In fact, many believe in tangible proof that aliens have landed on Earth and think that government officials are involved in covering up paranormal activities. Moreover, most citizens would not mind a minor alien invasion, because they expect these space-age visitors to be friendly—like the lovable character depicted in Steven Spielberg’s popular film “E.T.”

Survey results also reveal that more than one-third (36%) of Americans believe UFOs exist. More than one in 10 (11%) are confident that they have spotted a UFO, and one in five (20%) know someone who claims to have seen one.

Despite the popularity of “Avengers” and “Twilight,” more than seven in 10 (71%) Americans think that aliens are more likely to exist than are superheroes, vampires and zombies. Furthermore, if aliens attacked our planet, more than one in five (21%) would most likely call on the Hulk to deal with the havoc. Far fewer would most trust Batman (12%) or Spiderman (8%) to step in.

In regards to national security, nearly two-thirds (65%) of Americans think Barack Obama would be better suited than fellow presidential candidate Mitt Romney to handle an alien invasion. In fact, more than two in three (68%) women say that Obama would be more adept at dealing with an alien invasion than Romney, vs. 61 percent of men. And more younger citizens, ages 18 to 64 years, than those aged 65+ (68% vs. 50%) think Romney would not be as well-suited as Obama to handle an alien invasion.

Tech Supervisor Erin Ryder and UFOlogist James Fox from NGC’s new series “Chasing UFOs,” believe the survey results are in line with the interviews and research they found in field operations taping the show. Viewers who watch the series’ back-to-back premieres on Friday, June 29, at 9 & 10 PM ET/PT, will witness over 30 Texas residents who swear they saw an unidentified flying object in 2008 and Colorado towns folk share their encounters with the team about speeding saucers and green lights that often are spotted in the night sky.

NatGeo’s “Aliens Among Us” survey polled a random nationwide sample of 1,114 Americans, May 21-29, 2012. The poll was conducted by Kelton Research, which used e-mail invitations and online surveys. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population, ages 18 and older. The margin of error is +/-2.9 percent.

The article Americans Support Obama for Handling Alien Invasion appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

At the tip of Baja California’s 1000 mile long peninsula lies Cabo San Lucas, known for one thing, at least in my area of expertise: hard partying. With a permanent population, according to the 2010 Census, of approximately 69,000, the Mexican getaway is a renowned holiday destination for the young and the restless.

Thus, where better to spend the All-American Independence Day weekend than in the most American city south of the border. All residents speak at least conversational English, even street peddlers and cab drivers, and the fear of drug war rampant in other parts of the country entirely absent.

Naturally, in booking my accommodations, I went for the resort celebrated for hosting boisterous festivities. ME Cabo Hotel and Resort surfaced a number of times during my quest, a fact which was reaffirmed upon arrival. I landed Sunday afternoon, just in time for the Stars and Stripes jamboree, and, with a poolside cabana, I was instantly projected into the heart of the insanity.

A deejay pumped out bass-heavy beats on a terrace over-looking the ocean, while beautiful girls in coordinated body paint kept the party alive. Drinks could be got either from the copious (and patient) wait staff or from the swim-up pool bar located in the center of the grandiose, balmy oasis. Finally, around midnight, the deejay sadly stowed his turntables as the last stragglers crawled inside to shower and continue their partying in Downtown Cabo.

Despite all the fun, that’s not all there is to ME Cabo. The tropical retreat boasts one of the best hot oil massages I’ve ever had the pleasure of enduring, along with a full menu of other delights from their in-house spa. Speaking of menus, ME’s collaborator Nikki Beach, located within and just beachside of the resort, never fails to serve up a mean plate of sushi and regional pleasures.

With several additional locations in the South of France, Las Vegas, and Miami, Nikki Beach never fails to serve it up hot and cool it right back down with a well-blended arrangement of classic cocktails.

Most importantly, the resort features the sort of customer service you generally find in a third world country, founded on a culturally innate generosity rather than corporate-driven greed. Thus, service is sometimes a bit slow, in that tropical manner, but with beautiful touches.

All rooms are well laid out with LED flat-screen televisions and enormous shower heads (a courteous feature I always look for), but the most impressionable detail was the delectably fresh strawberries dunked in creamy white chocolate delivered upon arrival, free of charge, and paired with slow roasted Latin coffee. Paraíso.

The article A Tropical Getaway: Cabo San Lucas appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.