I hope that you had a wonderful time when you celebrated the 4th of July.  Tell about your celebration and you can win a prize for your story or picture! 

What did you do on the 4^th of July? What are your traditions for the Birthday of America?  As I watched the fireworks with my family, I reflected on our Independence Day celebrations.   Our history as a nation is one of strength and courage.  And, I began to wonder if our children know the history of The Star Spangled Banner, the History of Our Flag, and the stories of the Revolutionary War.  With that in mind, I went to The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines.  This is a wonderful bookshop, and worth a visit for sure!  I found some beautiful books for  my grandchildren that tell the stories of the men, women and children who have been a part of making The United States of America the great nation that it is. 

I decided that it would be fun to hear about the traditions of other families.  Then, I had the idea of a contest.  Everyone loves a contest.  So, draw a picture, write a poem a song, or write a story about your Independence Day Traditions.  Mail it or drop it by my office, Realty World - Pinnock Real Estate  at 115 E. Pennsylvania Ave. in Southern Pines, or 15 Dawn Road in Pinehurst.  Or send it to me in an e-mail -  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The prize is a beautiful book  AMERICA   THE MAKING OF A NATION  by Charlie Samuels and a trip for Ice Cream! 

On the 4^th of August, the winner will be announced and the prize will be awarded.   Be sure to include your name, address, e-mail address and phone number with your entry.

Following are some quotes that I found in several books that I purchased at The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines.

"On July 4, 1776, the original thirteen colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. This new United States of America adopted a constitution in 1787.  The next year, on the fourth of July, the citizens of Philadelphia held a parade in celebration.  Over the years, this practice continued.  The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, has become a time for flags, parades, picnics, and fireworks."

"The diligent Stars and Stripes waved on through the long and pounding night, while patriots prayed that they would see their flag at morning's light"

"From a boat in Baltimore Harbor, Francis Scott Key observed the British bombing of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.  During the night he saw only glimpses of the American flag through the smoke and flare of light.  The next morning, he was so happy to see the flag still flying that he began writing a poem.  Later, this poem was put to the tune of another song and became America's national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner".  The flag that inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner" was made by Mary Pickersgillo and her daughter, Caroline.  It measured thirty feet by forty-two feet.  It was wide as most two-story houses are tall!  Today, that restored flag is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D. C."

"Betsy Ross, a seamstress, did sew one of the earliest versions of the flag for the Pennsylvania Navy in 1777.  As for who made the very first flag, it is still a mystery"

"There is nothing wrong with America that faith, love of freedom, intelligence, and energy of her citizens cannot cure"  Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America

"Do not destroy that immortal emblem of humanity, the Declaration of Independence."  Abraham Lincoln

"Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."  Benjamin Franklin

"The Liberty Bell is a very significant symbol for the entire democratic world."  Nelson Mandela

"To live under the American Constitution is the greatest political privilege that was ever accorded to the human race."  Calvin Coolidge

George Washington 1^st President  1789 - 1797 was "America's Greatest Commander"

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826.  Jesse Helms, Senator from North Carolina died on July 4, 2008

"American women stopped buying British stuff.  It was a boycott. (Maybe we should call it a girlcott. Or a ladycott.)  Buying British fabric became a big fashion "no".  Making homemade cloth was the cool thing to do.  Tea drinking slowed to a drip as patriotic families turned to chocolate, coffee, and cider.  Tempers started to boil."  The Boston Tea Party was in 1773 when 342 crates of tea were thrown into Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act.

"We possess a Spirit that will not be conquered.  Abigail Adams in a letter to her husband, John, who because the second American president in 1797."

"It is not in numbers, but in unity that our great strength lies...  From Common Sense by Thomas Paine. 

"The American Revolution lasted for eight long years. (1775 - 1783).  The end of the war, thousands of soldiers and regular people were dead.  Tens of thousands were hurt or disabled.  Houses were robbed and burned, barns and shops destroyed, animals stolen, and crops ruined.  Our world had changed forever" 

God Bless America!

Presented by Lucretia Pinnock, Realty World - Pinnock Real Estate, 910-215-6957, 115 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28387