Six Interesting Coincidences in History: July 4th a Bad Day for Some President's and a Booth Saves a Lincoln

From the August 29, 2015, History "6 famous coincidences" by Sarah Pruitt.

1.  Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died hours apart  on the same day:  July 4,  1826, the 50th anniversary  of American independence.

James Monroe became the third U.S. president to die on July 4 in 1831.  James Madison, Jefferson's close friend and Virginian came close to dying on Independence Day on June 28, 1836.

2.  JUST A YEAR BEFORE JOHN WIKES BOOTH KILLED ABRAHAM LINCOLN, BOOTH'S BROTHER EDWIN SAVED THE LIFE OF LINCOLN'S ELDEST SON, ROBERT.

Edwin Booth was a solid supporter of the Union, unlike his brother.  In late 1864,  Robert Todd Lincoln  fell on some railroad tracks and would have been mangles or killed had someone not saved him.  Robert recognized his savior as being the famous actor Edwin Booth.

Edwin Booth only learned later who the man was he saved.  His friend Adam Badeau, a colonel in the Union Army,  wrote Edwin congratulating him for saving the president's son.  At the time, Robert Lincoln was serving  with Badeau on Gen. Grant's staff.

--Cooter

Happy 244th Birthday United States, Born on the 4th of July

Born today, 244 years ago.

From the June 28, 2020, Parade Magazine.

These people were also born on the 4th of July:

Neil Simon (1927), Playwright

Stephen Foster  (1826)  Composer

Eva Marie Saint  (1924)  Actress

Gina Lollobrigida  (1927)  Actress

Geraldo Rivera  (1943)  TV Personality

Bill Withers  (1938)  Singer-Songwriter

Nathaniel Hawthorne  (1804)  Author

Malia Obama  (1998)  Daughter of former President Obama.

Happy Birthday All.  --CootHap

Here's the Complete List of 13 "American" Movies You Can Watch on the 4th of July

On July 4th, I began writing down this list, because of, you know, July 4th.  If fireworks and parades and such are not your thing, you can sit back and watch any of these movies for a taste of America.  I printed them in my Cooter's History Thing, Tattooed On Your Soul: World War II, Not So Forgotten: War of 1812 and Down Da Road I Go blogs.   Here is the complete list.

From the July 4, 2019, Chicago Tribune  "Celebrate Independence Day with 13 all-American movies" by Rex Crum.

The Godfather (1971)
Lincoln (2012)
Red Dawn (1984)

Miracle  (2004)
1776   (1972)
Independence Day  (1996)

Hidden Figures   (2016)
Apollo 13   (1995)
The Natural  (1984)

A League of Their Own  (1992)
Rocky  (1976)
The Dirty Dozen  (1967)
Stripes  (1981)

Pass the Popcorn.  --DaCootButter

Movie Watching on 4th of July-- Part 7: "A League Of Their Own," "Rocky" amd "Stripes"

Movies to avoid the mosquitoes.

"A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN"  (1992)

Tom Hanks makes his second appearance here as a drunken former baseball player who manages a women's baseball team during the manpower shortages of WW II.  Manages the Rockford Peaches in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

And, you've just got to love his quote:  "There's no crying in BASEBALL!!"

"ROCKY"  (1976)

How much more "American" can "Rocky" get.  Sylvester Stallone was the ultimate underdog and a fairly unknown person as an actor at the time.

The movie, its follow-ups, and he remain a big deal to this very day.


"STRIPES"  (1981)

If "Animal House" made kids want to join a fraternity, then "Stripes" made them want to join the U.S. Army.  It would be hard for Bill Murray not to do well with a whole bunch of misfits.

Rent It, Watch It.  --Cooter

Movie Watching on 4th of July-- Part 6: "Apollo 13" and "The Natural"

These are movies to watch instead of dealing with the crowds and mosquitoes on the 4th of July.

Parts 1 and 2  are in my July 4, Not So Forgotten: War of 1812 blog.  Parts 3 and 4 are in my Tattooed On Your Soul blog of July 4, 2019.  Part 5 is in yesterday's Down Da Road I Go blog.

"APOLLO 13 (1995)

When Tom Hanks, playing Jim Lpvell, says "Houston, we have a problem," you know he's serious.  Thus begins the tale of the the greatest rescue mission in history.  This happened almost 50 years ago.

"THE NATURAL"  (1984)

This is the greatest sports movie of all time as a young man falls victim to temptation and then spends years seeking redemption.  Then Roy Hobbs, played by Robert Redford, hits that famous home run that knocks the lights out in the ballpark.

Well, I Got Ate Up By the Skeeters.  --CootBite

Nine Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July-- Part 4:

7.  Celebrating with fireworks is as old as the holiday it self.  At the first celebration in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, 13 cannons were fired, one for each colony.  That night, 13 fireworks were shot off in the city commons.

The tradition of fireworks has gotten bigger since then.  In 1934, American Arctic explorers set off fireworks even though it was 33 degrees below zero.

8.  And today, fireworks are a massive industry.  The American Pyrotechnics Association, Americans spent over $1 billion for fireworks in 2017.  That number has tripled over the last twenty  years.

Judging just by the folks around our subdivision Saturday and last night, I'd say a WHOLE lot of it was spent here.

9.  July 4 is the biggest hot dog day of the year.  Americans consume roughly 150 million hot dogs on July 4, enough to stretch from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles five times.

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, which is a century old, takes place every July 4.  The record, currently held by Joey Chestnut, is 72 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Have a Dog On Me.  --RoadHot

Nine Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July-- Part 3: The Philippines

5.  Calvin Coolidge is the only president born on July 4.

6.  The United States isn't the only country to celebrate independence day on the 4th of July.  The Philippines gained its independence from U.S. colonial control on July 4, 1946, and that day became a national holiday.

In 1962, however, due to rising Filipino nationalism and resentment to prior American colonialism it was changed to June 12.  July 4 is still on the books as "Philippine Republic Day" but is not much celebrated.

--Cooter

Nine Things You Didn't Know About the 4th of July-- Part 2: Three Presidents Have Died July 4th

3.  During the American Revolution, George Washington gave his troops a special treat on July 4.

On July 4, 1778, he ordered a double ration of rum for his soldiers.  He also ordered a cannon salute for the occasion.

Drinking has always been a large part of the 4th of July celebration.  In the past it was traditional to drink 13 toasts, one for each of the states that voted for independence.

4.  In a bizarre coincidence, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826.  The two Founding Fathers and adversaries died within five hours of each other.  As Adams lay on his deathbed, unaware that Jefferson had already died, his reported last words were, "Jefferson still still survives."

James Monroe was the third president (and only one since) to die on the date, July 4, 1831.

Some Coincidence.  --DaCoot

Nine Things You Didn't Know About the Fourth of July-- Part 1: July 2

From the July 4, 2018 USA Today "9 things you didn't know about the Fourth of July" Caroline Simon.

1.  Congress did not actually vote for independence on July 4.  Twelve of the 13 states/colonies approved an independence resolution on July 2.  New York did not do so until July 9.

Many of the delegates did not sign it until as late as August 2.  John Adams insisted the annual celebration should be July 2 and refused to attend anything on July 4.

2.  July 4th was not an official holiday until almost a century later.  It was not so designated until 1870 and it wasn't until 1941 that it became a paid holiday for federal employees.

Stuff You Didn't Know.  --Coot4

Let's Get Patriotic With Our Songs Today With Ten Great 4th of July Songs: "American Girl"

Yesterday, Bob Stroud did his Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV 97.1 FM, the Drive on America, ten songs that are patriotic.

BORN IN THE U.S.A.--  Bruce Springsteen
SATURDAY IN THE PARK--  Chicago
R.O.C.K.I.N. IN THE U.S.A.--  John Mellancamp

IN AMERICA--  Simon & Garfunkel
LIVING IN THE U.S.A.--  Steve Miller Band
BORN ON THE  BAYOU--  Creedence Clearwater Revival
LIVING IN AMERICA--  James Brown

AMERICAN GIRL--  Tom Petty
4TH OF JULY ASBURY PARK (SANDY)--  Bruce Springsteen
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL--  Ray Charles

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Somebody Give Me A Cheeseburger."    Answer below.  --Cooter


"Living In The U.S.A."

History of the Fourth of July

From History site.

Also known as Independence Day or July 4th.  It has been a federal holiday since 1941, but its traditions go back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence and two days later delegates from thirteen colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.

From 1776 to the present, July 4 has been celebrated as the birthday of American independence with festivals, fireworks, parades, coverts, family gatherings and barbecues.

Happy B-D, U.S.A.!!  --Cootstarsandstripes

Think Beyond BBQ on This Fourth-- Part 2: A Slave's Story

Not everyone rejoiced this date 239 years ago.  It was a gamble many didn't want to take.  Britain would consider the Declaration of Independence and all its supporters as being guilty of treason, punishable by death.  Others wanted to stay with Britain.

Jehu Grant was a slave and the declaration was written by a slaveholder.  Yet he heard something in Thomas Jefferson's words that weren't intended for him:  "Songs of liberty that saluted my ear, thrilled my heart," Grant said in his petition.  "These considerations induced me to enlist in the American army, where I served faithful about ten months, when my master found me and took me home."

Later he purchased his freedom and unsuccessfully applied for his pension.

Think Beyond BBQ on This Fourth-- Part 1: The Reading

From the July 3, 2015, Chicago Tribune by Ron Grossman.

While you're enjoying all the festivities that go along with our country's birthday all those years ago, take a moment to thank John Adlum from York, Pennsylvania, and others from back then who wrote:  "On the morning of the seventh of July, the four companies of the town militia was paraded when the Declaration of Independence was read.  Mr. Smith (who signed it) made a speech...and then threw up his hat and hurrahed for liberty and independence.  The militia on parade and others attending followed their example."

Thanks to Congress, we know how other Americans felt back then.  A half century later, legislation was enacted to provide pensions for those who fought in the Revolutionary War.  Determining who was eligible wasn't easy as documentary evidence was scarce.  Citizen soldiers had drifted in and out of the militias and applicants for pensions had to submit an affidavit of their experience.

These are preserved in the National Archives and of great interest to historians.  It tells us more of the story and from a more common reference point, not just the generals and statesmen.

And, a Happy Birthday to the U.S..

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Champions

The event was broadcast live on ESPN at noon, July 4th and rebroadcast (when we watched it) at 2 PM on ESPN2.  Joey "Jaws" Chestnut of San Jose, California won his 8th championship in a row after proposing to his long-time girlfriend before he went into chowaction.

He ate 65 hot dogs and didn't break his record he set last year at 69.    In the women's group, Miki Sudo, of Las Vegas, ate 34.  Sadly, he wasn't up against seven-time winner Takeru Kobayashi who refused to sign an exclusive contract with MLE (Major League Eating, and is presently banned from its functions.

The winner gets the mustard yellow big belt.

Still, I'd rather Savor the Dogs.  --Cooter

Fox Lake Fireworks-- Part 9: Deaths and Injuries

"...and it is thought that an aerial display of bombs exploding at the exact time the train the train rounded  a curve was a major factor in failure to see the speeding train...traveling at 55-60 miles per hour, and that only about six seconds would elapse between (coming into sight and the accident point).

Of the three people killed were Carl Strand, owner of Wauconda's Strand Route 12 Motel (still standing at US-12 and Il-59), and Mrs. Lillian Pavelchik, of Round Lake, and her seven-year-old son Gary.

Among the many injured were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dittmer, from Grass Lake, saved by their son, Gerald, who saw the train and pushed them off the tracks.

The paper also mentioned that it was "a bigger than average crowd attended the fire department dance Saturday night" where over 3,317 tickets were sold.

A Horrible Accident That Now Is Mostly Forgotten.

Fox Lake Fireworks-- Part 8: Warned, But Wrong Train

The article with the information was dated July 5, 1956 and was in the now-defunct Antioch News.

"The holiday scene at Fox Lake's Fourth of July celebration last night was turned into one of tragedy when a Milwaukee Road vacation special train struck a number of spectators, killing three, and injuring at least five!

"The fireworks display was being staged on the American Legion property...and a number of spectators had climbed the railroad embankment as a vantage point.  They were warned by the Legionnaires and firemen that the tracks were not safe and a freight train, which came through at 9 p.m., scattered them.

"Many returned to the tracks after passage of the train however.  It was at 9:15 p.m., that the tragedy occurred...."

Fox Lake Fireworks-- Part 2

Rumors of financial  improprieties regarding the fundraising came about with apparently no substantiation which caused Pete Jakstas, owner of the Mineola Marina and Lounge at the Mineola Hotel to halt his involvement in 2008.    That year, the fireworks were launched from a vacant lot at Sayer and Rollins roads.  In 2009, the Chain of Lakes Fireworks organization was formed and set about returning the fireworks to the water..

Currently, the fireworks are shot off toward the east end of Fox Lake.

We were able to watch the Fox Lake fireworks from our back deck for many years until the trees in out subdivision got too big.  We can still watch the Spring grove fireworks from out front porch, however, as we are on a really high bluff.

--Cooter

Fox Lake Fireworks-- Part 1

From the July 2, 2014, Hi-Liter "History of Fox Lake fireworks displays include tragic 1956 event" by Gregory Harutunian.

"When it comes to the Village of Fox Lake (Illinois) and fireworks display, excluding the political variety, there is a long and distinct history befitting a "resort community."

Over the years, Fox Lake and Nippersink Lake have been the venues of choice for fireworks, both for land and water accessibility and a place for still-lit residue to fall.

For many years during the time from which we bought our first boat, now in our 30th year, the Mineola Bay Fourth of July fireworks were considered the beast in the area.  It drew huge crowds of boaters from both Illinois and Wisconsin as well as thousands who viewed it from the Mineola Hotel (dating to the 1880s) as well as from hundreds of bayside house parties.  Traffic was a major headache.

We watched these fireworks both by boat and from friends' homes.  Not only were the fireworks themselves impressive, but the hundreds of boats at anchor out in the water with their anchor lights lit was a striking scene.

This Was One Real Big Party.  --Cooter

July 4th Through the Years

This date in U.S. History, besides being our 238th birthday today.

1801:  The United States Military Academy to train Army officers officially opened.

1803:  The Louisiana Purchase was announced in newspapers.  A great land deal.  France sold a huge tract of land to the U.S. for $15 million, coming out to 3 cents an acre.

1817:  Construction on the Erie Canal began in New York state.  It connected the Hudson River at Albany and Lake Erie at Buffalo.

JULY 4th was a bad day for earlier American presidents.  Three died on this date in 1826 and 1831.

1826: Presidents Thomas Jefferson (3rd) and John Adams (2nd)
1831:  James Madison (6th)

--Cooter

How to Celebrate a 4th of July Weekend

THURSDAY, JULY 4TH:

Spring Grove, Illinois, parade, house party in Johnsburg, Mr. Myers performing at Horse Fair Park in Spring Grove and Spring Grove Fireworks display from the house.

FRIDAY, JULY 5TH:

Fish Fry at Rusty Nail in Ringwood. First Friday concert at Glacial Park in McHenry County. Potts and Pans steel drum combo from NIU. Then to Tommy's.

SATURDAY, JULY 6TH:

Twin Lakes 4th of July parade. Bloody Mary at Main Street. Fish Fry at Donovan's Reef. OD (On Deck) and gazebo.

SUNDAY, JULY 7TH:

Bob Stroud's Summer of '73 radio show. Rick's on the Channel. Bloody Mary at Dirty Rooster on bluff overlooking Grasslake. The band Deja Vu at Captain's.

MONDAY, JULY 8TH:

Humongo burger at Village Squire in McHenry. Two movies at the theater. Green Street Classic Car Show in McHenry. Elvis Impersonator.

Like I Said. Good Times in the Area. --RoadDog