Celebrating America’s Freedom: July 4th

Independence Day is one of my favorite times of the year. The picnics, barbeques, fireworks, parades and spending time with family and friends make it a day of great fun. In remembrance of our freedom, I decided that for the next few blogs leading up to July 4th, I will post some stories that give us a historical background as to how some things in America came to pass. Today's story: The Birth of the Fourth of July.

Celebrating America’s Freedom: July 4^th

Independence Day also known as 4th of July is the birthday of the United States of America. It is celebrated on July 4th each year in the United States. It is the anniversary of the day on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress - July 4, 1776.

This was the day that America announced to the world that the 13 colonies no longer belonged to Great Britain. The thirteen colonies were: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. In May, 1776, after nearly a year of trying to resolve their differences with England, the colonies sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. Finally, in June, admitting that their efforts were hopeless; a committee was formed to compose the formal Declaration of Independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee also included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. On June 28, 1776, Thomas Jefferson presented the first draft of the declaration to Congress. Independence Day was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

On July 4, 1777, the night sky of Philadelphia lit up with the blaze of bonfires. Candles illuminated the windows of houses and public buildings. Church bells rang out load, and cannons were shot from ships breaking the silence. The city was celebrating the first anniversary of the founding of the United States.

The Fourth of July soon became the main patriotic holiday of the entire country. Veterans of the Revolutionary War made a tradition of gathering on the Fourth to remember their victory. In towns and cities, the American flag flew; shops displayed red, white, and blue decorations; and people marched in parades that were followed by public readings of the Declaration of Independence. In 1941, Congress declared July 4 a federal legal holiday. It is one of the few federal holidays that have not been moved to the nearest Friday or Monday.

Some Fun July 4^th Facts:

1. The first public Fourth of July event at the White House occurred in 1804.
2. Before cars ruled the roadway, the Fourth of July was traditionally the most miserable day of the year for horses, tormented by all the noise and by the boys and girls who threw firecrackers at them.
3. The first Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi occurred at Independence Creek and was celebrated by Lewis and Clark in 1805.
4. Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on Independence Day, July 4, 1826.

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Stories or interesting tidbits? Email me richmullercoach@gmail.com

If you are receiving this story through your email and want to read more stories on my blog, please go to my blog site - http://soup-heart.blogspot.com

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The Perfect Match

The Perfect Match

~ Author Unknown ~

It was Johnny's birthday, he was eight years old. His parents promised he could get a puppy when he was eight - so right after breakfast they hopped in the car and drove to grandma's house to go get his puppy.

Grandma lived several miles away in a much bigger city.  Shortly after arriving at Grandma's house, Johnny's mother said "Johnny would you like to walk to the pet store to look at the puppies."  Johnny proudly walked down to Main Street where the pet store was located. As he approached the store he could see several puppies bobbing up and down in the big store window.  As he entered the story four puppies huddled together in the display area and began to jump up and down when Johnny came near.

Johnny introduced himself to the store owners and explained why he was there.  He asked if it would be alright to hold some of the puppies; they agreed.  While playing with the four puppies he noticed a fifth one all alone curled up in the far corner and asked the owners if that puppy was from the same litter?

The lady responded he was but that he was not for sale. "How come?" Johnny asked. "That puppy was born with a bad hip socket" she said "and one of his back legs doesn't  work that well. "Wow" Johnny said "What will you do with him?"  "Well tomorrow my husband will take him to the vet and have him put to sleep".

Johnny asked if he could hold that 5th puppy and the lady nodded yes. Instantly the puppy responded to Johnny's touch with several big licks and they became friends. "This is the puppy for me, this is the puppy I want to buy" Johnny said.  The pet store owners reminded Johnny that that puppy was not for sale; however Johnny insisted that this was the puppy he wanted to buy.

As Johnny turned to walk out the door he said, "I'll go home and get the money and be right back". The wife said "I don't understand why do you want this puppy when you could get one that is perfect and won't cause you any trouble."

Without saying a word Johnny lifted his left trouser leg and exposed a large steel brace running up the length of his leg.  The owners looked at each other in silence and finally the husband spoke "Son you don't need to go get any money we’d like you to have that puppy."
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 Note: In addition to writing my own blogs / stories, I also like to search for stories and other inspiring / motivating / encouraging things from around the World Wide Web. If you see an article or story that you have written and want it removed, please feel free to let me know. I do try to give credit to the people and/or web sites that I find the information when I can.

Scars: Dealing With the Scars of Life

Scars: Dealing With the Scars of Life

~ Author Unknown ~

dreamstime.com

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother, in the house was looking out the window when she saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, maybe not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic, but we have the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. It might be hard to believe sometimes, but God loves you. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. If you ask Him and allow Him, He will take care of you.

Sometimes in life, we can wade into treacherous situations. The “swimming hole” of life is filled with danger and peril - and we forget that an enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins, and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful…..He did not - and will never - let you go.

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Stories or interesting tidbits? Email me richmullercoach@gmail.com

If you are receiving this story through your email and want to read more stories on my blog, please go to my blog site - http://soup-heart.blogspot.com

Live. Laugh. Love

The Love Ladder of China

The Love Ladder of China

~ by Pearly (Penang, Malaysia) ~

The Love Ladder of China, An incredible love story has come out of China a few years ago and managed to touch the world.

It is a story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half a century. Over 50 years ago, Liu, a 19 year-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu. At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman. To avoid the market gossip, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing area.

In the beginning, they had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives. In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.

Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand-carved steps. The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife's hand even after he had passed away.

In 2006, their story had become one of the top 10 love stories from China, collected by the Chinese Women Weekly. The local government has decided to preserve the love ladder and the place they lived as a museum, so this love story can live forever.

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Wow! What a great story of love and dedication that a couple had to each other despite the fact that the couple was so poor. This story demonstrates to us the fact the happiness and love is not found in things but found in actions. So, what are you willing to do for your significant other today?

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Have any stories or interesting tidbits? Email me: richmullercoach@gmail.com

If you are receiving this story through your email and want to read more stories on my blog, please go to my blog site -  http://soup-heart.blogspot.com

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Live. Laugh. Love