The Veterans of Foreign Wars Freemond Madson Post 447 in Minnesota sponsored an essay contest  for local schools. The topic was “When is the right time to honor our military heroes?”  You can read their essays here. These kids wrote some cool and inspiring essays – they’re well worth reading!

Many major American cities have phenomenal fireworks displays. Here is a top 10 list from the travel blog Rates To Go.

10. Washington D.C.

The Capital building and the Washington Monument are the backdrop for this fireworks display. There is also a parade with groups from all the military branches  and a concert by the National Orchestra.  Fireworks begin at 9pm and are televised on PBS.

9. Lake Tahoe,  Nevada

One of the biggest shows west of the Mississippi. The fireworks are launched from a barge in the lake. Music is broadcast on the radio. People watch form the shore, docks, and paddle boats.

8. Addison, Texas

This show uses fireworks from around the world.

7. New Orleans, Louisiana

Featuring two barges in a fireworks battle, New Orleans presents the Go 4^th on the River Dueling Fireworks Extravaganza.

6. New York,  New York

New York puts on the Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular. This show features fireboats that shoot fire into the air. Music is played on the radio and it is broadcast on NBC.

5.  Chicago, Illinois

Fireworks are launched from the famous Nay Pier.

4. Atlantic City, New Jersey

Fireworks over the boardwalk.

3. Boston, Massachusetts

Music by the Boston Pops Orchestra, including the 1812 Overture.

2. Idaho Falls, Idaho

The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration begins with a buffet dinner and a concert by the Idaho Falls Symphony Orchestra. Then comes the fireworks show, which is the biggest west of the Mississippi River. The fireworks are computer synchronized to the music. There is also a narration of important events in American history which features recordings of important America historical figures.

1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Sunoco Welcome America festival extends from June 25th to July 4th. There are many activities for families throughout the city. On the 4th there will be a party on the parkway followed by “The Largest Free Concert in America” and three fireworks shows.

Even if you can’t make one of these amazing celebrations, you can get ready for your own 4th of July events with great deals from FlagsonCars.com! Order your stuff now to get it in time for the 4th!

According to Gregory Rodriguez, the reason Flag Day (June 14th) doesn’t get much attention is because the American flag is all over the place.  Some countries “discourage the rampant reproduction of their national banner.”  But in the United States you can find the flag on t-shirts,  jeans, advertisements, gas stations, and even the glass backboard used in the NBA championship series. American flags are so common in this country that people usually don’t notice them.

There a number of reasons Rodriguez sites for the prevalent display of the flag in this country. The diverse nature of our society requires strong national symbols of unity to bind us together. Patriotism is usually based on love of the homeland and the roots of family in a particular place.  But the United States has a particularly mobile population. Our abstract values like “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” give us a strong desire for  something specific that we all have in common.

Love of the flag is as old as the country is, but it was during Civil War that the flag became particularly important. The nickname for the flag, “Old Glory,” comes from this period. The wave of immigration in the late 20th century inspired the desire for strong national symbols.  The Pledge of Allegiance and Flag Day come from this period.

The flag is something all Americans have in common and is a symbol of the unity of our diverse country.