Today my son and I read about community Fourth of July events on the internet, trying to decide which ones to attend. I mentioned that we celebrate America’s birthday on this day because that’s when the Declaration of Independence was signed, but he’s a Philadelphia boy who knows all about the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. He’s even dined at their favorite tavern. What he didn’t get was how old our country will be this July 4th. When I did the math, I realized with a pleasant start that America will be 235 years old. This brought back memories of the fabulous fireworks, tall ships, and inspiring parades of the Bicentennial year, 1976. My favorite story of America’s 200th birthday, however, comes from my husband.
That summer Scott toured Europe with his school’s award winning band, and on July 4th they performed at an international competition in Vienna, Austria. It was a big deal–Radio Free Europe even broadcast the performance into the former Eastern Bloc countries then under the heel of Soviet Communism. Scott recalls that his fellow American classmates felt a little down that day, though, because they were missing the once-in-a-lifetime revelry back home.
Just as they lifted their instruments to play for the Austrians, their concert hostess politely interrupted Scott’s band leader. She took the microphone and told the surprised man, “Before you play, we have something for you.” Then she motioned to the sizeable audience, they stood, and began singing:
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear America,
Happy birthday to you!
For several moments, no one in Scott’s group moved as the singing reverberated in their ears and settled into their spirits. You know that old saying, “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house?” I think it originated there. When the band director finally lifted his baton, it took awhile for his students to pull it back together. Several of them missed the first few measures, but no one seemed to mind.
Tags: 1776, Benjamin Franklin, Fourth of July, George Washington, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Philadelphia
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