BackStory - Independence Daze: A History of July 4th.

Summary:

How did the Fourth become the holiest day on our secular calendar? What exactly happened on 7/4/76, and why do we celebrate it with explosions, hot dogs, and mattress sales?

Website:

http://backstoryradio.org

Timely on:

July 04: July 4th holiday!

Tones:

Humorous, Thoughtful, Unconventional

Description:

For the first several decades of our nation's existence, July 4th was not an official holiday at all. in fact, it wasn't until 1938 that it became a paid federal holiday. The Declaration of Independence itself went largely untended in a dusty archive for 150 years. So how did the Fourth become the holiest day on our secular calendar? How did its celebration become a measure of patriotism? Has the holiday really belonged to all Americans (Confederates? Slaves?) What exactly happened on 7/4/76, and why do we celebrate it with explosions, hot dogs, and mattress sales? Hosts Ed Ayers, Peter Onuf and Brian Balogh talk with guests and callers about what Independence Day means to us today.

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