Happy birthday America!
It shouldn’t take a date on the calendar for Americans to show their patriotism. We should be proud of our independence and freedoms we enjoy in this country each and every day. But it’s easy to get patriotic on the Fourth of July when you have all the razzle-dazzle of fireworks popping over your head.
Tonight, thousands of people will fill the streets around the Civic Center complex and for a brief moment we will all unite as one to celebrate America’s independence.
The Fourth is more than just watching fireworks, it’s a time which reunites old friends and family.
In the Stubblefield household, the day gets started like most, with a good old-fashioned cookout. Crank up the grill to 500 degrees, slap 10 or 15 pounds of hamburger patties on the fire, along with a dozen or so hot dogs, and top off the whole picnic with some homemade ice cream.
What would a Fourth of July be without a friendly game of ping-pong or badminton? I don’t know about you, but there’s no such thing as a friendly game around the Stubblefield household. Any type of game or contest sometimes can turn into a very heated competition between family members. Basically all it is is bragging rights until next year, and that seems to be good enough for the winner.
July 4 has marked several big days in the world of sports over the years. If you’re a big rodeo fan, bullfighting was first introduced in America on this date back in 1884 in Dodge City, Kansas. And in 1886 the first rodeo was held in America in Prescott, Arizona.
In 1923 Jack Dempsey defeated Tommy Gibbons in a heavyweight title fight.
Over 60,000 fans came out to watch Lou Gehrig give his now famous retirement speech in a touching ceremony at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939.
On July 4, 1960, Mickey Mantle hit his 300th home run. In 1982 Jimmy Conners won his last Wimbeldon title by defeating John McEnroe in the finals.
Martina Navratilova captured her sixth consecutive Wimbeldon singles title in 1987.
Chuck Tanner, who managed the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and NFL football owner and general manager Al Davis were both born on this date in 1929. New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner came along one year later in 1930.
Regardless of how you spend your Fourth, it’s all about remembering the sacrifices so many made over the years so we may enjoy the freedoms that so many of us take for granted.
On July 4, 1776 a group of very brave men claimed independence from Britain for the United States. America is a very diverse nation and has been built on the ability of its citizens to adapt and prosper in difficult situations.
Millions of immigrants have flocked to this great country since the signing of the Declaration of Independence to pursue a dream of happiness and prosperity. Freedom has its price, but if we will remember those who fought for this country and respect not only each other, but this great land of ours as well, then all the sacrifice has been worth the effort.