Volume 14 , Issue 27

1912 - Sane 4th July Celebration

In The Washington Times, dated 02 July 1912, out of Washington, D.C., mentioned this little tidbit about a "Sane Celebration Will Again Mark Independence Day" with daylight fireworks and band concerts being the features of the day.

Following the custom established in 1908 by the District Commissioners, the Fourth of July in the District of columbia will be noiseless as far as fireworks of a dangerous character are concerned. But there in 1912 there would be noise, for promptly at 12 o'cock six-pound guns at Fort Myer, Washington Barracks, Fort Hunt and Fort Washington would boom, one explosion for every State in the Union.

Where the noise of the cracker was missed the patriotism would be expressed in other ways far more expressive than setting off of dangerous explosives that usually cause serious and fatal injuries. The day was ushered in when the Fifteenth Cavalry Band, before the sound of reveille at Fort Myer, would march over the parade grounds, playing "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The Districts first event in commemoration of the day upon which this country declared it independence was an airplane exhibition, provided some one of the aviators of the army school at College park, Md., who volunteered to fly over the city to Potomac Park, and there made short flights on the river front.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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