Well, I should say celebrating, not partying. I hope you have something fun planned for the Glorious Fourth.
If you aren't used to an old-fashioned Fourth of July, an impromptu gathering with a few other families can work, or just your own family — you just need watermelon, something to grill, and a few games — even simply throwing water balloons fits the bill. Badminton, volleyball, horseshoes — if you want to get fancy. All American.
I'm remembering how I used to think of Independence Day. Fireworks and the above-described party, perhaps. Phil's parents, whom we lived near for many years, had a rather staid commemoration of the day — one which included salmon and peas (a traditional New England Fourth menu, and I hadn't heard of it either) eaten in the dining room, and the hanging of a small replica of the Declaration of Independence from the fireplace mantel with some scotch tape.
As we visited, I thought further back to big barbecues at the state parks in the South where my non-American father lived with my stepmother. In those days, immigrants were few, and welcomed by the hospitality of a people firmly confident in their own traditions, enough so that they were only interested– really, enthusiastically eager — to know more about the culture of their guests.
On the Fourth, though, these folks good-naturedly included us in their unselfconscious celebration, which, however, did not include any lore or reference to causes — only fun and food. Looking back, I think I detect in them a sense of retaining the instinct to rejoice, but only the instinct. The collective memory — the knowledge of the particulars that cause the celebration — wasn't passed along. Maybe they thought the schools were doing that part of the task. I can see how those same people, forty-five years on, might be unsure of how it has come to be that certain precious things no longer exist.
At this moment we are at a crisis of liberty. It's not enough to drink lemonade and hold a sparkler. But just getting angry — or worse, despairing — doesn't fix anything. And certainly only talking about what's important might make us think, but it's not actually doing anything about the situation.
Remember, I'm that rootless person who has spent my life trying to build things from scratch, with only a few scraps from the lumberyard — little pieces of memory and information pounded together to form some sort of structure. I saw the little Declaration posted there on the mantel, I ate my salmon and peas, I thought of those Southern softball games and hot dogs. Of course there are the many books I've read; that's how I learn a lot of things, as we know. But translating into my here-and-now life can be tricky.
Thanks to friends whose gatherings are more centered on the building of culture rather than only preserving its outward manifestations, one day it all clicked — what we should do to build this part of our culture — the part where we attend to the human side of how we live together in freedom.
We should have games, we should flip burgers, we should have salmon and peas, and we should not only display but actually read the Declaration of Independence with our children! And talk about it! And tell stories about how it came to be!
So, somehow, that day more than a decade ago, it became dear Sukie's job to write out the whole thing on one of those rolls of paper I happened to have.
I don't think any of us had really internalized how long it is (yet how short for such an important work of human genius, the foundation of our freedom!), and it took her quite a while. I mean, I think she in particular now knows how long it is!
I think that if I had to do it over, I might give each child a section, to spare any one child from such onerous work. Be that as it may, she did it. Just as in the original, there are mistakes. Don't sweat over those. It's just fine. Actually, I think she did a beautiful job (how did she keep all the lines so straight!).
Every year, we try to gather with friends and family. We try to have a nice party — low key and fun. And we give an older child, usually the oldest boy of the hosting family, the task of reading the whole thing in a nice, loud voice to the assembly. Shouts of “hear hear!” and huzzahs (or boos at the appropriate moments, such as the recounting of the wrongs inflicted by foreign tyrants) are encouraged. (And you need someone with a steady arm to hold the thing up for the reader!)
When the reading is over, the signers, from the littlest pen-wielder to the eldest, pledge in ink their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
Of course, it's hardly a celebration without music, so as it gets dark, it's wonderful to sing patriotic songs, maybe around a bonfire with marshmallows! You can look them up online for the lyrics, or here is our own for you to print out.
I realize you may be short on time for writing out your own copy. It would be perfectly fine to use a printed copy this year, and then put it in the handwriting and history class in the coming year to produce a document of your own for your friends to sign. You could have a removable portion at the bottom for the signatures. If your children are very young, maybe Dad could read it out for a few years.
It's fine to ask the children to listen quietly to the ringing words, even if they don't quite understand them. Hold the toddler on your lap. Ask the children to sit down.
In coming years, they will know it well, especially if you read it occasionally at other times, and even set them to memorizing the first bit. It's good to know by heart that “When in the course of human events it becomes necessary,” and then discuss the particulars (imagine if you had to feed and house a troop of soldiers from another country!).
Stay with it. The important things are the work of years, not the assignments of a day. Civic lessons are one thing, necessary of course. But celebration is what fixes the meaning. With love and patience we can recover our patrimony and raise a new generation to love freedom!
*Updated to answer the question of whether guests sign every year: I usually say something like, “If you haven't signed in the past, please do today!” just because the space on our document is limited. But I think kids from previous years like to “do a better job” on their signature, and that's fine with me!
Sukie says
If I remember correctly, I actually did the whole thing on July 3rd one year. So hey, there's still time!! (I stayed up very late. But I was 15, so what else did I have to do?)
Gently Led says
My husband teaches American Government, and we always read the Declaration (with boos, hisses and hurrahs) at our 4th of July celebrations. Our children (young) tolerate it, any guests listen with some amusement, but we think the Declaration is critically important to celebrate and to understand.
It gladdens my heart to see you too do it and to post about it!
Pippajo says
Well, this is just lovely. It sounds so fun and important and completely worthwhile. Unfortunately, we are so exhausted from 1) this wretched heat wave and 2) the weekend birthday party that became a monster bash that gathering for a cookout is the LAST thing we want to do. I know, I'm unpatriotic and lame.
BUT…if we WERE going to have our usual Independence Day cookout, it would probably resemble yours. Except for the Declaration. I have never thought of doing that. But it is brilliant. I wonder if I can conscript a few of my talented artist sisters to work on that for me…
_Leila says
No, Pippajo — conscript your CHILD!! 🙂
copperswife says
I love how all of the guests sign the Declaration after its reading!
Mary says
Love, love, love this idea!! Did you know that Hillsdale College has been organizing the largest reading of the Declaration in history for tomorrow??? They are! And we signed up to do it with people all over the country. (http://readthedeclaration.com/read)” target=”_blank”> http://readthedeclaration.com/read)” target=”_blank”>(http://readthedeclaration.com/read) How awesome that you have been doing this annually! In the future, I will definitely have to take up your idea of having the children write it out and sign it. They are still a bit young for any great handwriting task like that! Thank you for sharing it and at such a timely point in history.
_Leila says
Mary, the ideal would be to read it in the town square! We'll get there…
Woman of the House says
I was just going to post this same information, but Mary beat me to it. 🙂
Rachel says
You are so brilliant. You just are! And this mother of nine thanks you. My oldest will be 11 next year. I think I'll plan in some time for he and some siblings to write it out then.
And I adore the signatures, too. What a wonderful memory-maker!
Oh, how ever did you get to be so stinkin' wise?
Claire says
Thank you so much for all those song lyrics! So many of those great verses are unfamiliar, now. I especially love the ones that clearly put God first, and love for country in that context.
Deanna says
Amen! Oh, I agree!
It is so important to pass along the why of things. To challenge our children, to inform them.
I am going to have my children learn the “When in the course of human events….”
Thank you for this post!
Mrs. Pickles says
Huzzah, huzzah! Hear hear! We are studying American History next school year, and I was wondering what to assign the fifth-grader for copywork. Now I know! (She just learned calligraphy, too!) Thank you once again for another fabulous idea!
Cary says
I LOVE this! Do you have the guests sign each year? Or just the first time they are with you for a reading?
Lori @ IMK, IML says
GREAT idea!
Dawn says
This is such an awesome idea. I wish I had a long roll of paper. I think we will use this as our copy work this month so we will be ready next year.
Blessings, Dawn
Nancy says
Great way to incorporate the meaning of the day with celebration!
monica says
I agree…this is brilliant. Watching fireworks was the climax of our Fourth of July celebrations when we were kids. We continued this tradition with our own kids by watching the display in the sky over our state capital. Sitting on the lawn in front of that stunnung building we enjoyed many a history lesson or two over the years – until the festivities moved elsewhere a handful of years ago. Now my teen and older kids no longer care to fight the crowds to see the fireworks. They miss the capital, the history, the pomp. I feel sad every year that we miss the big show. It feels wrong – somewhat unpatriotic – dare I confess that it feels a little like missing Mass when you are sick but you are not exactly on your deathbed? I was at a loss for how to bring back the essence of this grand holiday – until now. Im sure this borrowed new tradition will fast become a favorite. Thank you!
Teresa says
I would also like to know if everyone only signs once, or if everyone signs every year.
Elizabeth says
I love this idea! And as always, a party with your family and friends sounds so fun. I'm all about singing patriotic songs and would love to incorporate this into the festivities as well.
nt12many says
Wow…a shot in the arm…just what we needed after growing in our cynicism about our country this year. We have read that wonderful document in past years but weren't planning on it this year. Our plans have changed…and I am linking my pitifully short July 4th post to this.
Jill Farris ” target=”_blank”>http://www.generationalwomanhood.wordpress.com ” target=”_blank”>http://www.jillcampbellfarris.com
Mary says
Be still my beating heart! This brings tears to the eyes of an ex-pat (hate that term)! I am freezing down under swallowing hard to hold back the tears! Thank you for this post! Happy fourth!
lauren says
I love you SO much!!! This is fantastic. “The important things are the work of years, not the assignments of a day.” I think I'll stencil that across my living room wall.
TheLynn says
In my family, the Fourth is always accompanied with a viewing of the musical “1776”. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it. It covers the issues around the writing of the declaration without whitewashing the disagreeable parts. Hearing the song “Mamma Look Sharp” from a young soldier who had become a messenger is heartbreaking, without being too much for young listeners. On the other hand, the song “Molasses to Rum to Slaves” explores why Slaves were not freed at the time (although this song did freak me out as a child.)
TheLynn says
I forgot to add that it is very funny.
Christine Guest says
We printed a copy of the Declaration at http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/print_f… and read it after lunch. Thanks for the idea!
_Leila says
Cary, Teresa, I usually say something like, “if you haven't signed in the past, please do today!” just because the space is limited. But I think kids from previous years like to “do a better job” on their signature, and that's fine with me!
Jenny says
We attempted to read the Declaration this year but mostly had a pile of fail. The two year old screamed through the whole thing. The four year old lost interest after a few paragraphs. The six year old was interested but didn't understand much. We made it to the end but not well enough to call it a success. I guess there's always next year.
I do like the idea of reading it. I remember a scene in the Little House books where someone reads the Declaration in the town square. I remember thinking that nobody did that anymore. When I was in 8th grade, the standard punishment was writing the preamble to the Constitution 50 times. I illicitly chewed gum a lot so I wrote it out a whole lot. I still have it emblazoned in my mind and am glad of it.
_Leila says
Jenny, next year, if it's only such small children, only read the preamble! IF you happen to find yourself with a family of older children (like, teenagers), have one of them read it while your toddlers run around in the background and the 6yo sits still.
Baby steps…
ChristineC says
Such a wonderful idea! I've missed it for this year, but for sure its on the agenda for next. I'm always struck at the point in the story (Little Town on the Prairie?) where Laura and Carrie are at the 4th celebration and Laura listens intently at the reading of the Declaration. As she does, she comments that she had already had it memorized, OF COURSE, but enjoyed hearing it read aloud. Thank you for the inspiration to do this in our own home.
The Happy Mother says
Thanks for making me smile! I see my Dad's signature in the second of the two photos, there in the lower right-hand corner. It's so distinctive!
_Leila says
Kristina! John Hancock is your FATHER??
🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
Rochelle says
We just read the whole thing today with my mother-in-law, her sister and parents and my children, 5, 3 and 1. It went off beautifully! Thank you. 🙂 *My dear husband, father-in-law and brothers are camping. 🙂
Rachel says
I think I have re-read this post every July since you posted it.
I still love it.
Thank you!
Leila says
Thank you, Rachel! Thanks for reading!