PRX Logo

PRX.org unavailable Fri. 8pm EST. Prepare now.

Top Navigation
Help
Sign Up
  • Home
  • Pieces
  • Reviews
  • Members
  • My PRX
  • Networks

Browse pieces by length, topic, and format

[ all search options ]
PRX Home > Pieces > BackStory - Independence Daze:…

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

  • Review
  • Audition Download
  • License/Download
Length 53:59
Licensor BackStory with the American History Guys
Producer(s) Tony Field
Formats Debut (not aired nationally), Weekly Program
Topics Entertainment, Historical, Public Affairs
Produced Unspecified
Added to PRX July 3, 2008
 

Listen:

You need to sign up or login to listen to pieces on PRX.

flash player holder

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?

  • Details
  • For Stations
  • Reviews (0)
  • Licensed By (1)

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.

New to PRX?

Learn More | Sign Up

Forgot My Password

OTHER PIECES from BackStory with the American History Guys (11)

  • BackStory - Black & White: The Idea of Racial Purity
  • BackStory - Coming Home: A History of War Veterans
  • BackStory - Early and Often: Voting in America
  • BackStory - Aliens from... Inner Space? Outsiders in America
  • BackStory - Traffic: How We Get From Here to There
  • see all

SIMILAR PIECES

  • BackStory - Early and Often: Voting in America
    BackStory with the American History Guys , 59:00
  • BackStory - Serving Time: Punishment in America
    BackStory with the American History Guys , 53:59
  • BackStory - I owe, I owe... Debt in America
    BackStory with the American History Guys , 53:59
  • BackStory - "Controversial Wars"
    BackStory with the American History Guys , 53:59
  • BackStory - Inventing the Traditional American Family
    BackStory with the American History Guys , 53:59
 
Footer Navigation
© copyright 2003-2007 PRX
About PRX
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Help
Contact Us
All RSS Feeds