FIRSTS ON THE FORTH!

 THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024

   FIRSTS ON THE FORTH!

   It's a big day of celebration here in

the United States. And for a lot of

good reasons! Independence Day of

course resulting from our 1776

Declaration of Independence from

England. Ironically the nation

didn't begin its annual celebration of

July 4th until 1796! In 1802 the U.S,

Military Academy at West Point opened

its doors on July the 4th.  The following

year, 1803, the Louisiana purchase added

828, 00 square miles to the United States.

That was announced on July 4th. In 1831

the song "America (My Country Tis Of

Thee) was song for the very first time on

July 4th. Then, in 1862, Lewis Carrol 

choose Independence Day to publish

"Alice In Wonderland." The following

year General Robert E. Lee pulled his

troops out of Gettysburg on July 4th

effectively marking the beginning of the 

end of the Civil War!  On July 4th 1876

the first electric light was demonstrated 

in San Francisco and in 1884 France gave

us the Statue of Liberty of the 4th of July.

Our flag has changed a lot since 1776. On

July 4th of 1959 we saw a new 49 star

banner as Alaska was added to the union.

That flag didn't last very long though as

Hawaii became the 50th state and another

star was added on July 4th of 1960. A lot

of July 4th history for a fairly young nation.

Wonder what the future hold in store? Hope

it's all positive and that all your NEWS is

good!