Independence Day Firecracker

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Celebrate Independence Day with Fireworks!

On July 4th, 1776, our founding fathers formally adopted the Declaration of Independence from England.

Over the next several days, the Declaration was signed and the United States of America took on a new life of its own.

Now, we celebrate Independence Day with feasts, parades, celebrations, concerts, and - at the end of the day - with fireworks.

It's our national birthday celebration and we enjoy it.

However, that's not the only reason I created this lens.

I have a personal story to share with you.

Declaration of Independence 

The sun is shining brightly in the morning sky, through our American Flag. by Beverly & Pack

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Old Homestead of Matthew Thornton, first N.H. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Derry Village, N.H. by derrypubliclibrary

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The Old Homestead of Matthew Thornton. by derrypubliclibrary

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Old Homestead of Matthew Thornton, first N.H. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Derry Village, N.H. by derrypubliclibrary

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Declaration of Independence Links 

These sites have more information about the Declaration of Independence, Independence Day, and our July 4th holiday.
What Happened to the 56 Men Who Signed the Declaration of ...
Neither the American nor the British authorities sought to induce .... was at the time the greatest nation on the face of the planet throughout history. ...
United States Declaration of Independence - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
United States Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, announcing that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were no longer a part of the British Empire....
Declaration of Independence
Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty and Jefferson's most enduring monument....

Declaration of Independence

My First Nickname was "Firecracker" 

Mom didn't like it

I was born on July 1, 1952.

Three days later, on Independence Day, I came home from the hospital with my Mom and Dad.

It was a rare, cold day in July in the Atlanta, Georgia, suburbs and I was so cold that my lips were turning blue. Dad had to go get an electric heater just to warm me up.

Of course, I was much smaller then than I am now, but I was reminded of this story on my birthday this year when we had a cold snap here in the North Carolina mountains and I used an electric heater to keep me warm in my office.

I told Mom that I'd plugged in my heater and she told me, again, the whole story. I'll just share the most relevant parts.

Dad enjoyed nicknames. When he was younger, his hair was brown with a reddish tint, but his mustache was much redder. That, coupled with his red, sunburned complexion resulted in almost everyone calling him "Red" when he was a young man.

When he liked you, it wasn't uncommon for him to give you a nickname. It was always done with respect; he would never give you a nickname you wouldn't like.

Still, I was called Firecracker for only a couple of days before Mom put a stop to it. From that point forward, I was called Johnny, and "Firecracker" was relegated to the dim foggy memories of my parents and a few relatives.

I heard the story not too long before Dad died in 1991. He had a twinkle in his eye when he called me Firecracker out of range of Mom's hearing.

So, this year, during the cold snap, I told Mom that I would be known henceforward as Firecracker Dilbeck.

Even now, 56 years later, she's not too happy about it, and I doubt it will stick, but at least my brother sent me a Happy 4th of July email and called me Firecracker.

You can, too, if you want.

I'll continue to answer to John or JD, but I'll get a warm, fuzzy memory of my Dad when you call me Firecracker.

Firecracker Dilbeck, that's my name. Blogging and websites, that's my game.

I hope you have a wonderful Independence Day celebration with family and friends, followed by a rousing display of loud and beautiful fireworks in the summer evening.

Happy 4th of July!

Firecracker Dilbeck
July 4, 2008

Firecracker Dilbeck and Granny

Celebrate the USA 

Products from CafePress with Patriotic Designs

Fireworks! 

Fireworks lighting up the night sky in celebration!

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The sun is shining brightly in the morning sky, through our American Flag. by Beverly & Pack

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What do you think about fireworks? 

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Fireworks Videos 

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Professional Fireworks Displays 

How do they do that?

Fireworks Displays and Shows Worldwide
Information about fireworks and fireworks displays around the world.
To Entertain and Inspire with Fire - Firework displays, large and small, for all occasions and budgets from Dragon Fireworks
Firework displays, large and small, for all occasions and budgets - DIY packs or Dragon managed productions. Dragon fireworks has devoted its time and experience to creating displays that are beyond the normal and are truly incredible. We pride ourselves on working with you to create a truly unique...
Fireworks: How do they do that?
Firework Displays - how the professionals create, build and fire award-winning shows.
HowStuffWorks "How Fireworks Work"
Fireworks may seem magical, but the science behind them is easy to understand. Learn how fireworks and firecrackers work and watch a fireworks video.

Celebrate with fireworks 

Independence Day (United States) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States, but is often also viewed as simply a summer festival, apart from its patriotic overtones....
Fireworks - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Each year before the American Independence Day (July 4th) retailers across the nation experience a surge in fireworks sales.[citation needed] Independence Day is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Independence Day is commonly associated with parades, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history and traditions of the U.S. Fireworks have been associated with the Independence since 1777....

Independence Day Parades 

Photos of the Marine Corps Band, representing the United States of America, in parades.

Whether or not these photos are of an Independence Day parade, they show the patriotic spirit of Americans on our national holiday.

Getting ready to play by NYCMarines

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Getting ready to play by NYCMarines

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Marine Run past NYSE by NYCMarines

Marine Run past NYSE

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Quantico Marine Corps Band by hectorir

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Quantico Marine Corps Band by hectorir

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Calling in by NYCMarines

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Patriotic Music 

God Bless America: The Ultimate Patriotic Album

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/27/2009) Buy Now

Patriotic Songs of America

Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 12/27/2009) Buy Now

Patriotic Country

Amazon Price: $11.96 (as of 12/27/2009) Buy Now

Patriotic Country, Vol. 3

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/27/2009) Buy Now

United We Stand: Songs for America

Amazon Price: $5.98 (as of 12/27/2009) Buy Now

Happy 4th of July! 

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Patriotic Songs Links 

American patriotic music - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American patriotic music is a part of the culture and history of the United States since its founding in the 18th century and has served to encourage feelings of national unity.[1] Patriotic music in America owes its origins to four main wars - the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the American Civil War, and the Spanish American War....
Sing Along Midis and Lyrics for the NIEHS Kids' Pages
Sing-Along Midis and Lyrics for the NIEHS Kids' Pages, presented by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences as a means of introducing kids to science and research interests.

Some examples of these songs follow, below.
Stars and Stripes Forever
Music and lyrics to Stars and Stripes Forever, by John Philip Sousa.
Star Spangled Banner
Star Spangled Banner, composed by Francis Scott Key, "In Defense of Fort McHenry" in September 1814. Congress proclaimed it the U.S. National Anthem in 1931 -- history follows.
You're A Grand Old Flag
You're A Grand Old Flag - Music and lyrics by George M. Cohan.
America the Beautiful
America the Beautiful - lyrics by Katherine Lee Bates;
music composed by Samuel A. Ward - more history follows the lyrics.
My Country 'Tis of Thee (America)
My Country 'Tis of Thee (America) - written by Samuel Francis Smith; the tune used for this song is "God Save the Queen", the British National Anthem.
Columbia, The Gem of the Ocean
Columbia, The Gem of the Ocean - The version that was written in 1843 (T. Becket, D. Shaw; © 1999 AmeriMusic, Inc.) was extremely popular during the Lincoln years, and was usually included among the patriotic songs played by the Marine Band for the President's ceremonial gatherings. But the song was apparently a rewrite of a very well known British tune entitled "Red, White, and Blue" that was composed and written by Thomas A'Becket in 1750.

Stars and Stripes - Flag of the USA

The Flag of the United States of America 

Flag of the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The flag of the United States of America consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars. The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 U.S. states and the 13 stripes represent the original Thirteen Colonies that rebelled against the British Crown and became the first states in the Union.

Nicknames for the flag include the stars and stripes, Old Glory, the American flag, and the star-spangled banner (also the name of the country's official national anthem)....

Share your thoughts of Independence Day! 

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  • Reply
    OhMe OhMe Apr 21, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
    I am featuring some of your patriotic merchandise on my Freedom Fest lens.
  • Reply
    OhMe OhMe Apr 21, 2009 @ 2:29 pm
    Hi Firecracker! Loved that picture and all the great patriotic photos and merchandise. Lensrolling to my Freedom Fest Lens. Great work here!
  • Reply
    Surly-Mac Surly-Mac Jan 17, 2009 @ 7:49 am
    Bang up job, Firecracker! I learned from your Lens that Thomas Jefferson (always my personal Hero) drafted the Declaration quicker than I can make a lens. Of course, he had the advantage of quill & ink whilst all I have is this Old Apple... A good learning experience for the New Guy. Thank you
  • Reply
    msbaby msbaby Dec 17, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
    I was raised to believe that any day important enough to merit a red letter on the calender deserves to be celebrated with a roman candle or two and sparklers for the kids. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a trip to the country to shoot firecrackers off of a bridge. Lovely lens. Merry Christmas.
  • Reply
    clouda9 clouda9 Jul 6, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
    Firecracker Dilbeck you have out done yourself with this fabulous lens! Loved that you shared your personal story.
  • Reply
    Susan52 Susan52 Jul 6, 2008 @ 1:37 pm
    Great lens, Firecracker! Great story and a great subject overall. I love Independence Day, love the fireworks, love the reason we celebrate! Happy belated birthday, too. You were born in a very, very good year! :-)
  • Reply
    MaryGallagher MaryGallagher Jul 5, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
    Really enjoyed reading this lens, John, personal, fun, a little history, a little science. Good stuff, thanks!
    Happy Birthday and best to you!
    Mary
  • Reply
    PatinKC PatinKC Jul 5, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
    Well, Firecracker! You've made a fine lens with a great story. My dad was called Red, also...because of his red curly hair. Great photo of you and Granny!

    I'm lensrolling your lens to my Celebrate Everyday Lens.
  • Reply
    GypsyOwl GypsyOwl Jul 5, 2008 @ 5:40 pm
    Happy Belated Birthday JD! :D I love this lens and your story is really touching. Every now and then, if I call you Firecracker...it will be because I remembered your story and how it reminded me about my Grand Dad calling me 'Sister'. I really thought he didn't 'know' my name. LOL

    5*Lensrolled to my 4th of july party and FAV.
    Great info, lots of beautiful photos, and love the historical research...great job!
  • Reply
    johndilbeck johndilbeck Jul 4, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
    The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love waiting in the warm, usually humid, southern night waiting for it to get dark enough - and then the whoosh of the rocket, the streak of light up into the sky, and the BOOM! of the explosion as rays of colored light streak across the sky.

    It's a great finale for a day celebrating freedom.

    JD "Firecracker" Dilbeck

by johndilbeck

TwitterCounter for @johndilbeck

John Dilbeck lives in the mountains of western North Carolina, near the small town of Murphy. He loves living in the southern Appalachian mountain... (more)

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