Celebrating USA Independence / Fourth of July Celebrations

What do you think is the biggest American holiday? The most significant and uniquely American holiday would have to be the Fourth of July, the day when the United States celebrates its independence from Britain. You might think that it became a holiday immediately after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, but actually it didn't become a tradition until after the War of 1812.

By the 1870s, the Fourth of July was the most important nonreligious holiday on the calendar. All across the country, on that day, towns and cities held celebrations with parades, barbecues, and fireworks displays.

Back in the 1870s, the Fourth of July was "the big event of the year," according to Nettie Spencer, a pioneer from Portland, Oregon. The holiday included a parade with floats, a band, and a speaker. "First the speaker would challenge England to a fight and berate the King and say that he was a skunk. In the afternoon we had what we called the 'plug uglies'--funny floats and clowns who took off on the political subjects of the day," said Spencer. At that time, the Fourth of July made people think about what it meant to be independent from Britain.

More than 200 years have passed since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and our independence from Britain is sometimes taken for granted.

Today, the Fourth of July holiday is still known for celebrations with family and friends. The holiday's importance has inspired the creation of everything from the lyrics to "Yankee Doodle Dandy" ("I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy ...born on the Fourth of July...") to movies like "Independence Day." America's independence has always been an important aspect of our country, and we will protect it from anyone (or anything) who tries to challenge it.

18 Patriotic Quotes to Celebrate Independence Day... www.powersports360.com wishes the Community a Safe and Happy Holiday.

1. "What is the essence of America? Finding and maintaining that perfect, delicate balance between freedom `to' and freedom `from."


2. "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."


3. "America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact - the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality."


4. "The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men."


5. "Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country."


6. "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."


7. "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty."


8. "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it."


9. "Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people."


10. "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations -- entangling alliances with none."


11. "Fear is the foundation of most governments."


12. "I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution."


13. "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."


14. "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."


15. "True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else."


16. "A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle."


17. "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"


18. "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot."

On this Independence Day, let us remember the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom. Let us also remember that America is not defined by the politicians who run it, but the people who love it. These patriotic quotes remind us that patriotism in America does not mean following blindly, but rather it means holding to the ideals that gave birth to this great nation.

Spring Music Festivals

Our Spring Music Festivals allows your students to "Sound-Off" on Soundstage 33 at Universal Studios Florida! Our festival runs select dates from mid-March through mid-May.

March 23-24, March 30-31, April 13-14, April 20-21, April 27-28, May 4-5, May 11-12, May 18-19

Each Festival package includes:

• Entrance to all Festival Activities
• Warm-up
• Performance on a soundstage
• Adjudication-Rating or Competition
• On-Stage Clinic by adjudicators
• Admission to either Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure for the day
• Grand Awards Ceremony
• Gift for Director
• Trophies and Awards in all categories
• Written and taped comments
• Director Free (minimum of 20 paid)

Check out our Festival Planning Itineraries.

Good Friday

What is Good Friday?
On Good Friday, Christians remember the day when Jesus was crucified on a cross.
When is Good Friday?
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday (Easter Day).
What was the date for first Good Friday?
The date of the first Good Friday will never be known, but many scholars believe that the event took place on April 7th, A.D. 30. If they are right the calendar is wrong, by three years.
Why is it called Good Friday?
The name may be derived from 'God's Friday' in the same way that good-bye is derived from 'God be with ye'.
It is 'good' because the barrier of sin was broken.
What happened on Good Friday?
Jesus was arrested and was tried, in a mock trial. He was handed over to the Roman soldiers to be beaten and flogged with whips. A crown of long, sharp thorns was thrust upon his head.
Jesus was forced to carry his own cross outside the city to Skull Hill. He was so weak after the beating that a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was pulled from the crowd and forced to carry Jesus' cross the rest of the way.
Jesus was nailed to the cross. Two other criminals were crucified with him, their crosses were on either side of him. A sign above Jesus read "The King of the Jews."
Traditional Food
It is traditional to eat warm 'hot cross buns' on Good Friday. Hot Cross Buns with their combination of spicy, sweet and fruity flavours have long been an Easter tradition.
Why do we eat Hot Cross Buns ?
The pastry cross on top of the buns symbolises and reminds Christians of the cross that Jesus was killed on.The buns were traditionally eaten at breakfast time, hot from the oven. They were once sold by street vendors who sang a little song about them.
Hot Cross Bun Ceremony
At the London Pub, The Widow's Son, a Hot Cross Bun Ceremony takes place each Good Friday. In the early 19th century, a widow who lived on the site was expecting her sailor son back home for Easter, and placed a hot cross bun ready for him on Good Friday. The son never returned, but undaunted the widow left the bun waiting for him and added a new bun each year. Successive landlords have kept the tradition going after the pub was opened.
Other traditional Good Friday food
It is traditional to eat fish on Good Friday instead of meat.