Independence Day - July
4th
What really happened on July 4,
1776? On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental
Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of
Independence, announcing the colonies' separation
from Great Britain. From 1776 to the present day,
July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American
independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks,
parades, and concerts to more casual family gatherings and
cookouts or picnics.
The tradition of setting off
fireworks on the 4 of July began in Philadelphia on July 4,
1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence
Day. Ship’s cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13
colonies. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: “at night
there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and
concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city
was beautifully illuminated.”I Girl Scouts could work with
their local fire department or hospital burn unit to create
videos or distribute information about fireworks safety, first
aid for burns, and pet protection during fireworks
displays.
Interestingly enough, Girl Guides in
the UK often choose to learn about and celebrate America’s
Independence Day as a multicultural activity - the same way
they do Chinese New Year, Diwali, Holi, and Dia de los
Muertos! In return for sharing typical American Fourth of July
cookout menus with them, Guiders (troop leaders) from the UK
are sharing recipes for the “fireworks” cookies and snacks
their Brownies and Guides make at Fourth of July meetings.
These are for edible sparklers:
• “We have done
this with Cadbury's Fingers. Just dip the end into hot water,
then straight into the hundreds and thousands [tiny, round
non-pareil sprinkles.]” (Heather D. and Zoe P.)
•
“You can always use breadsticks and dip in melted chocolate
then some cake sprinkles if you don't have a version of
Cadbury chocolate fingers.” (Catherine S.)
• “Dip
Mikado [brand] biscuits in warm water, not hot or the
chocolate melts off, then dip or roll in cake sprinkles [they
come already chocolate coated]: https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/mikado-milk-chocolate-biscuits-112794011]
(Carly G.)
• Lucy. F. says, “You can do rockets
with marshmallows or fruit on a skewer. These space-themed
fruit rockets are from https://www.eatsamazing.co.uk/bonfire-night/easy-fruit-rockets-for-bonfire-night
[“Bon fire night” is Guy Fawlkes Day] Coloured Marshmallow
rockets are even better if you can coat them in crushed
Poprocks/popping candy. Here’s a tutorial for making
marshmallow rockets from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ru/pin/105130972522011313/”
The most common symbol of the holiday is the American
flag. In many communities, Girl Scouts are invited to march in
parades, place flags on the graves of veterans, or present
flag ceremonies to community groups. Girl Scouts of Greater
Atlanta has a “Flag Ceremonies” activity guide, with sample
cere+F14monies and flag etiquette tips.
Encourage
the Girl Scouts you work with to put a little Girl Scout
patriotism into their family and friends celebrations on
Independence Day:
• Girl Scouts and Patriotism:
10 Fun Facts to Celebrate July 4 from gsblog, July 3,
2017:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/girl-scouts-and-patriotism-10-fun-facts-for-july-4--319614904795875984/
• “On my honor, I will try to serve…my country” In
addition to flag-related service activities (above), troops
and groups could present a program of patriotic songs for
seniors or veterans, create short videos on flag care and
courtesy, and send some love from the home front to active
military members stationed overseas with a thank you note to
commemorate Independence Day.
• Girl Scouts of
the USA offers a Citizen badge at every grade level that helps
girls learn to celebrate their communities—from their towns
and states to their country. The badges include Good Neighbor
for Daisies, Celebrating Community for Brownies, Inside
Government for Juniors, Finding Common Ground for Cadettes,
Behind the Ballot for Seniors, and Public Policy for
Ambassadors. If girls have already earned these, look at the
new Democracy badge for your Girl Scout level.
BE
PREPARED! It’s Georgia in July: have a rainy day plan in
place and know what to do and where to go during an electrical
storm.
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