Victorian America Celebrates Independence Day
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For me, memories of Independence Day will forever carry the odor of discharged fireworks. I close my eyes and hear a boom with a flash of sparkling pyrotechnics overhead. I still tear up when I hear God Bless the U.S.A. [Proud to be an American] (by Lee Greenwood) over the loudspeakers during a firework show.
Memories are a beautiful blend of Ice cream, Popsicles, 100-degree weather, sunburns, dunking tanks, parades, 5K races, hotdog vendors, ice-cold Coke, and family cookouts. My hometown even had a parking lot dance after the fireworks.
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Victorian America Celebrates Independence Day
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Victorian America celebrated Independence Day in numerous ways, many we still enjoy today. Much patriotism and celebration of the holiday remains unchanged since the Civil War. I’ve curated newspaper articles from the nineteenth century United States. Together, they inform how the holiday was viewed, celebrated, honored, and cherished.
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“Pyrotechnics” was in moderate (to high) use from the mid 19-century on. Who knew?
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Decorations & Fireworks (for at-home use)
Victorian America Celebrates Independence Day
The Petroleum Centre Daily Record of Cornplanter, Pennsylvania on June 17, 1869.
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The Gettysburg Address
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Lincoln’s dedication of Gettysburg. Part 1. Monument dedicated in 1869. Harrisburg Telegraph of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1869.
Lincoln’s dedication of Gettysburg. Part 2. Monument dedicated in 1869. Harrisburg Telegraph of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1869.
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Note the prophetic last paragraph of the Gettysburg dedication (immediately above):
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The Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776, and the speech of President Lincoln, July 4th, 1864, will go down to future generation as worthy to be read by freemen in all coming time.
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~ Harrisburg Telegraph of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1869 (5 years after the Gettysburg address on July 4, 1864)
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I memorized the Gettysburg Address in 8th grade history class, a required assignment I’ve yet to begrudge my teacher. But I’d forgotten President Lincoln’s address was given on July 4th (1864).
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Victorian America Celebrates Independence Day
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Hometown Events
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“General Illuminated Parade.” (A lighted parade?, Lighted floats?) The Great Bend Weekly Tribune of Great Bend, Kansas, on June 21, 1895
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Bicycle Racers on July 4th. St. Louis Post-Dispatch of St. Louis, Missouri, On July 2, 1899.
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Red Cloud Grand Celebration. Part 1. The Red Cloud Chief of Red Cloud, Nebraska, on Jun 1, 1883.
Red Cloud Grand Celebration. Part 2. The Red Cloud Chief of Red Cloud, Nebraska, on Jun 1, 1883.
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Old-Time Celebration. Part 1. The Philipsburg Mail of Philipsburg, Montana, on June 13, 1889.
Old-Time Celebration. Part 2. The Philipsburg Mail of Philipsburg, Montana, on June 13, 1889.
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4th of July at Merriam Park. Fort Scott Daily Monitor of Fort Scott, Kansas, on June 23, 1889.
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Grand Celebration. Part 1. The Emporia Weekly News of Emporia, Kansas on June 25, 1869.
Grand Celebration. Part 2. The Emporia Weekly News of Emporia, Kansas on June 25, 1869.
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The Oskaloosa Independent of Oskaloosa, Kansas, on 24 June, 24, 1898.
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An Excuse to Have a Ball
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Union Ball. Cedar Falls Gazette of Cedar Falls, Iowa, on June 13, 1862.
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Independence Ball. Janesville Daily Gazette of Janesville, Wisconsin, on June 13, 1862.
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Grand Ball. Mexico Weekly Ledger of Mexico, Missouri, on June 20, 1889.
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Pleasure Excursions
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Seaside resorts have long been popular. Temperatures fall near the water, making summertime’s oppressive heat less dreadful. Numerous “pleasure cruises” were offered in the Great Lakes region in the 19th century. Expeditions also used the grand rivers of the United States (such as the Mississippi) and along its shores.
Because the newspaper clipping didn’t scan well from the historic original, I’ve included a transcription of the body of the article, which follows:
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Pleasure excursion. Detroit Free Press of Detroit, Michigan, on July 2, 1862.
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A transcription of the above article body:
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THE magnificent upper cabin steamboat
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“CITY OF CLEVELAND,”
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CAPT. GEORGE H RYDER, will leave the dock foot of Woodward avenue for Lake Huron on Friday, July 4th at 8 1/2 o’clock A.M., returning at 8 o’clock P.M. same day, affording the Excursionist the rare chance of a trip to Lake Huron and return, a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, passing each way through Lake and river St. Clair affording a view of the towns and villages on the banks of the beautiful St. Clair River, making the entire trip in one day.
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The Steamer will have on board good music.
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Refreshments sold on board the boat.
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Tickets for the round trip, 50 cents each. For sale on board the boat, or by
S.P. BRADY & CO.,
Foot of Woodward ave.
and JNO. HUTCHINGS & CO.
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch of St. Louis, Missouri, on July 2, 1899.
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MILITARY REENACTMENT
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Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester, New York, on June 22, 1898.
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BASKET DINNERS, PICNICS, & CHURCH SUPPERS
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Marion County Herald of Palmyra, Missouri on June 13, 1895.
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The Empoira Weekly News of Emporia, Kansas on June 25, 1869.
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Sioux Valley News of Correctionville, Iowa, on June 13, 1889.
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Note: the source of my newspaper research (and clippings) is newspapers.com.
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July 4th: a Book Setting
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As you might anticipate, my characters attended their community’s Independence Day festivities. Their town, Mountain Home, put on many of the same social events you’ll find in this article.
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Invitation
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What do you think about all this?
What do you love most about Independence Day Celebrations?
Did any of these newspaper clippings surprise you?
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Related Articles
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Articles about Victorian Observation of Holidays
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With origins of Leap Year and lots of fun with Leap Year Greeting Cards, this article also contains a Leap Year Proposal Card (a greeting card).
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Updated July 2019
Copyright © 2016 Kristin Holt LC
