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Andrew P Johnson / AP
Gabi Hogg, 7, and her mother Jenny Hogg share a moment before mounting a bike for the July Fourth Parade on Highway 77 in Panama City, Fla. Wednesday.
Millions of Americans headed for parades and fireworks shows on Wednesday to mark a sweltering Fourth of July holiday, some even celebrating as the nation's founders did -- without electricity.
Thunderstorms forced a brief delay in the annual Boston Pops concert and people on the Esplanade for the event were told to take shelter, NBC station WHDH of Boston reported. Two people were reported struck by lightning in south Boston around 11 p.m. but their conditions weren't known, boston.cbslocal.com reported.
CBS said three others were struck by lightning at Weirs Beach in Laconia, N.H., but their conditions weren't known.
Thunderstorms also threatened in the nation's capital, where thousands of visitors from across the continent took part in Independence Day celebrations.
Hosting the 32nd annual Capitol Fourth, "Dancing with the Stars'" Tom Bergeron told the audience how he was feeling the heat, exclaiming at one point that he was "sweating standing still."
Despite the heat, the usual enormous crowds flocked to the Mall and monuments throughout the day. By 7 p.m., the lawn of the Capitol where the concert took place was about two-thirds filled. Men and women lined the steps of the Capitol building and filled the balconies. The Capitol Fourth Concert ended with fireworks behind the Washington Monument.
Elsewhere, storm-ravaged states from Indiana to Virginia carried on celebrations on Day 5 of a power outage caused by deadly winds ripping through the region. More than 735,000 homes and businesses remained affected and thousands of utility workers stayed on the job in a scramble to restore electricity.
Erik S. Lesser / EPA
Americans celebrate 236 years of independence with parades, fireworks, hot dogs and family fun.
"We still have a tree on the garage. It's been one of those weeks," said Gary Belniak, 57, of Wheaton, Ill., who has been without power since Sunday. His town canceled its parade and fireworks display.
Exhausted by three sleepless nights in a house where temperatures hover at about 90 degrees, Belniak said he had all but given up on the holiday.
"I decided to come to work today. That's basically my Fourth of July. I'm so irritated," he said.
In hard-hit West Virginia, Karen Allen said she planned to spend the holiday - her sixth day without power - hunting for ice.
"I'm going to go look for ice, cold gold is what it is, it's very scarce," said Allen, 43, of Charleston, W.Va.
Happy Fourth! Could you pass US citizenship test?
That warmth coupled with dry conditions snuffed out annual firework displays in scores of towns and cities in the West that are reeling from deadly wildfires that charred hundreds of homes and displaced tens of thousands of people.
On the East Coast, tragedy struck when a cache of fireworks apparently accidentally exploded on the back porch of a family home in New Hampshire on Tuesday night, injuring nine people, including two young children with life-threatening injuries, according to Pelham, N.H., firefighter Shawn Buckley. The children, both under age 4, were airlifted to Boston-area hospitals, according to Buckley.
'Orange mushroom cloud': Fireworks explosion injures 9 at New Hampshire home
Narrowsburg, N.Y.: The bald eagle, the very symbol of American independence, brought down the show in the hamlet on the Pennsylvania border. The local fire department canceled its planned fireworks display after being warned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that it could face enormous fines and even prison if any nearby bald eagles were harmed. "We decided we're not going to take the gamble," said Fire Chief George Strumpfler, canceling the show that began more than 100 years ago. "It doesn't look like it's ever going to happen again."
Philadelphia: Ahead of a 5,000-participant parade and what was billed as the nation's largest free concert and fireworks display in the nation's birthplace , Mayor Michael Nutter led a ceremony including a military fly-over, readings from the Declaration of Independence and 13 people, representing the 13 original colonies, becoming naturalized U.S. citizens, NBCPhiladelphia.com reported. The Roots was the house band for the Philly 4th of July Jam on Wednesday evenng, with the band’s drummer, Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson serving as musical director. The concert featuring Queen Latifah, Daryl Hall, Common and Joe Jonas and was followed by fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Out of wildfire's ashes, a July 4 extravaganza rises
President Obama greets U.S. service members while hosting a naturalization ceremony to declare them American citizens.
Chicago: The Windy City suffered through sweltering heat. The Navy Pier was the viewpoint for fireworks synchronized to music over Lake Michigan. The city-sponsored Grant Park show was canceled due to budget cuts.
Reuters, The Associated Press and msnbc.com's Jim Gold contributed to this article. Follow Jim Gold at msnbc.com on Facebook here.
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- Inmate serving life sentence won't be charged in killing of another prisoner
- Independence Day irony: PTSD has many vets dreading, avoiding fireworks
- Could you pass the US citizenship test?
- T-shirt fundraiser for wildfire relief takes off
- Video: Casino seeks machine gun range
- The doctor will see you now, for $5
Leave a Comment:
"don't forget what you're celebrating, and that's the fact that a bunch of slave-owning, aristocratic, white males didn't want to pay their taxes."
Yep - it's all my fault! So come on over to the BBQ - Your gonna love what comes next.
i dont mind if ppl celebrate. but its the annoying fireworks that irks me. have some respect. some ppl have work in the morning.
Don't try and make "slave-owning" an adjective. Obviously your point is understood, but how many apolligies are enough. Probably an infinite amount I assume.
I was watching the view one day and whoopie must have used the color of ones skin to describe someone 3 to 4 X's. WTF. why is it so important to the dark skinned people what color they were .do we need to know what color you are referring to? who the F cares. and to say lets not use the N word no more> all you people out there just have to say your an n word and we all know what you mean lol. get over it . this didn't happen to you. it happened to my ancestors too but I fecken don't dwell on it. FFS!!
that quote is from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. And why do people say celebrate the fourth of july or happy fourth of july ? thats like telling someone merry december 25th . we are celebrating independence day, not the date it falls on . ..
If that's how you really feel about America, you don't need political influence. You need a new place to live.
My, How very OWS of you. We are celebrating our Independence from a tyrant, distant King, who imposed taxes at will for his personal enrichment. Now 237 years later comes your lot, who thinks all is owed them and they should sit on there ass and be paid to do so. If you fins so much disdain in your heart for the U.S., Why haven't you done something constructive, like moving to some other country? What have you done lately to improve the countries situation? Hired anyone lately? Helped a homeless person from any of the disasters in the last few years? Volunteered at a charity or soap kitchen? No??? Why am I not surprised.
Never forget the white people that made you free, that did not go along
with the others that enslaved you. Never forget the white people that
died in the war, to set you free. Never forget the white people that
marched with you and were killed by the KKK along side of you. Never
forget that Blacks actually formed The Texas Republican Party to get rid of the racist Democrats, Never forget that Democrats passed the Fugitive slave law, Never forget that when Lincoln proposed freeing the slaves 100% of the Republicans voted for it and only 23% of Democrats voted for it, Never forget in 1868 when they passed the 14th amendment EVERY Republican voted for the bill EVERY Democrat voted against it. Never forget in 1872 Congressional hearings, the Democrats admitted to starting The KKK so they could stop the spread of the Republican party because at that time all blacks were Republican.
Never forget between 1870 and 1875 Republicans in congress passed many
civil rights laws for blacks, the the Democrats took over in 1892 and
REPEALED ALL the civil rights laws, which enabled the Democrats to pass
the Jim Crow Laws. It was Roosevelt who turned blacks into Democrats by
giving money, housing, food, clothing and jobs to them. With government
handouts he bought their votes. Now obama is trying to do the same
thing. Why is it, I know more about black history than most blacks? I
didn't just look it up and find it, although I did use google to be
accurate on the exact dates. I learned this when I went to school, They
do not teach this any more in schools, I wonder why.
Larry, your "Republican" and "Democrat" party that you refer to were not the same parties we have today. Learn some history before you spout out.
Thanks for speaking up for the people who do fight for equal rights, though! Not all people of every race fit into the stereotype that is portrayed by the masses.
"Larry, your "Republican" and "Democrat" party that you refer to were not the same parties we have today."
JD... are you really trying to spin that? Are you really trying to say that the parties completely flip-flopped? Whats your point?
The truth is racism is an individual trait that is passed on through "family values". Neither party is devoid of it.
Larry I love ya man.. going to copy this. God bless ya . great comment.
the democratic party went from wanting blacks to be enslaved and not paid for their work to enslaving blacks through a dependency on the government for paying them not to work . ..
Papag---slavery ended long long ago. Its a sad part of our history, yet a reality that is inescapable. Didn't we celebrate yesterday and aren't we trying to live everyday with "freedom and justice for all"? In living in the present tense I'd think we could all build a better future for ALL of us rather than remaining bitter about whats over and done with and all involved are long since dead.
erichjohn;
Well said, only you spared the leftists most of their continued enslavement of blacks and others through their other "Social programs". I.E. WIC, HUD Housing, Food Stamps, They establish racial quota's in education and jobs with affirmative action, when in truth they set them up for failure and so enforce the government dependence. Don't get me wrong, such programs are a good thing to help people get back on their feet. But, to often they become a way of life instead of a hand up. Charity begins at home , after all.
But, Make no mistake they are doing just what the Devil did. The greatest trick the devil ever played on mankind was convincing man he didn't exist. The left has convinced them they are their friend and benefactor, when in fact they are the same slavers they always were, but instead of chains, they use money and handouts to do the same thing. A people dependent on government handouts are easily controlled. To the people who thought this a good idea, how do you like the personal tax provision for not having insurance or not the "dictated" insurance? If you like standing in line at the DVM, you're gonna love this. Name ONE program the government ever ran that was cheaper and more efficient than the private sector provides.
Didn't we fight a revolution 237 years ago for taxes like this? As Jefferson said, "A little revolution is a good thing from time to time". Perhaps, just perhaps that time has come again? Naw, Too many slack jawed government handout dependent loafers now, they won't bite the hand of the MASTER that feeds them. Pity. We are not a government of the people anymore, It's a government of the elistist, by the elitist, and for the elitist, at the expensive of the people. Again Jefferson said, "It is not the place of government to take food from the mouths of the people or to tax the fruits of their labors". How soon we forget.
In response to my post on a previous article, someone said that "no one has the people or will to do what we do." How the f*ck would he know that?
The world's population is about 7 billion. Remove the 311 million Americans and we have approximately 6.7 BILLION other people on the planet. How many of them do you know? What American can confidently say that we are better than everyone else? Does anyone really think we're in a position to say that our paltry 311 million people trump all the other 6.7 BILLION people?
It is this arrogance that gives the USA an awful reputation.
Is it wrong to be proud of our nation? What awful reputation are you talking about... the hipsters and Che followers throughout the world? I've been to many different countries and rarely was I a recipient of anti-american views. I think you may be spending to much time in the Youtube comment section.
What do you know about anti-American view. I have traveled to many many countries abroad, many of them being in the Middle East. I never experience anti-American sentiment, in fact I received more praise for being from the U.S. In the Middle East I had people beg me not to leave.
I think that it is obvoius that you do not know what you are talking about.
klind;
Have you traveled abroad lately? Clearly not. American bashing is main stream all over Europe. I have family in the UK and even they give me grief about America this, America that. As for the Middle East, if you leave the guarded security of the resort to travel about you'll find anti-American sentiment aplenty. If you don't disappear to be found leader in a ditch, consider yourself fortunate. I travel extensively on business, trust me, the game has changed considerably. I think it obvious that you confine you "travels" to the secure resorts of these areas. Clearly, the state department warning on travel to certain areas of the world are based on real threat assessments.
Republican TeaBilly Conservatives are willing to ruin the Country and Sacrifice the Economy until they can get back in Power. Why do you think they have been the Party of No for so long.
Here is their Plan. First ya get da Money…..from da Lobbyist, Special Interest, and the Self Righteous and then ya get da Power. You Bet Cha……..Fer Sure.
Ways to defeat an economic recovery:
a
Here is another way to defeat an economic recovery Procrustes:
Being a Republican (not all of them just some)
You are a brain washed moron.
All the things stated by Procrutes stated are what the Liberals are currently doing anonymous jack a!@.
Isn't it funny how the dyed in the wool, faithful liberal never recognize the work of their party? They all assumed these were things the Republicans were doing, when in fact it's their "savior" of the world leftists.
There are none so blind as those who can't see past the propaganda of their party. Funny,,,, well, actually it pretty pathetic and why this economic situation will last far longer than it would have. Prepare yourselves, we haven't found the bottom yet.
Mitt is about as Real as a Plastic Bananna!
Is it Mitt ____________Romney?
“Country Club”
“Middle Class Warfare”
“Not To Much..Out of Touch”
“Cheap Labor is Our Future”
“Outsourcing is Awesome”
“Profits Over People”
“Corporations are People Too”
“F da Poor”
“Let Detroit go Bankrupt”
“Swiss Accounts”
“Pray da Gay Away”
Mitt Romney’s Solution to all Problems…….Prayer and a Moment of Silence.
I can't believe we have people in our country as stupid as you.
here's the last answer:
"all of the above"
P.S That stupidity is called freedom of opinion Doshiam
Haha. Ok. anonymo... freedom of opinion/speech does not equal truth.
jjdafreak,
you are correct.............just look at procrusty's post above for an example
marklepew;
Unfortunately for you, everything listed in Procrustes" post is correct and all activities of the Democrats. Do the research and find out for yourself. So, your post iseven less correct.
Republicans” and their Stepchild “The Evil Violent Tea Billy’s” are just like a “Huge Power Outage ”. They are a Major Disaster, Cause Fear, Panic, Chaos, Misery and Destroy anything good in their Paths.
G. O. P. = GREED, OIL, POWER
Please provide a link to any violence attributed to the Tea Party. I can show you Occupy Wall Street violence.
One man's facts are another's laughable stupidity.
Larry, you state that you know more about African American history than African Americans do.
Blacks sat in 1 room school classes with children as young as 6 years of age, trying to learn alongside teenagers that were 14 years of age. If your above statement is true, it is because Blacks did not have access to equal education. Do not forget, that it was not until 1954 that in Brown versus the Board of Education in Topeka, Kansas, that the Supreme Court ruled that segregated school were unconstitutional. That separate societies could not be "separate and equal."
You mentioned the "racist" Democrats of the past.
The Democrats that you are referring to were known as "Dixiecrats."
Yes, the Dixiecrats did try to resurrect the Confederacy.
However, do not forget that it was LBJ, a Democrat, who in 1964 signed the Civil Rights Act.
Do not forget that it was LBJ, a Democrat, who in 1965 signed the Voting Rights Act.
Concerning the Civil War, Lincoln did state that his first goal was to "preserve the union."
The Republicans of the past, that fought freedoms for Blacks, are not the Republicans of today"
25walker,
Larry is just a grenade troll......................he is also very good fisherman he has already caught his limit of red herrings for the rest of the year
25Walker
One thing you forgot to mention which is common for you liberal idiots is you left out the most important statement LBJ made after signing the Civil Rights Act of 19964 is and I quote
By signing this I got these N-gg--s votes for the next 200 years....now let's see you spin this one you Liberal Biggot!
RogerRoger,
Many leaders have made racist remarks. LBJ was known for his use of "colorful" words. About Blacks, his remark is regrettable. However, his actions to advance Civil Rights legislation was historical. His legislation has helped many African Americans move up from being on the last rung of the economic, political and social ladder. Many elected officials have made racist remarks, and they have only worked to put African Americans back on plantations. Get off of your diversionary junk!
You are a right winger who will only be happy to see the blood of "the undesirables" run in the streets.
You can reflect on these remarks:
Lincoln: [If I could save the union without freeing the slaves, I would do so.]
Ron Paul: [Legislation that dismantled desegregation is evil and against the rights of Whites.]
You are free to use Google to collect more sludge.
The GOP wants to continues to push America off of an economic cliff. If the right is successful in continuing to economically collapse this country, hopefully you will be the first to fall.
Then, the other parasites can prey on you.
Why do guys shoot off fireworks in the middle of a bright, sunny 4th of July day? They're expensive and you can't see them. I guess it really is true...there are a lot of American men who simply can't hold their wad!! Lots of premature detonations.
fireoworks need to be banned. its disrespectful and loud to everyone else.
Fireworks also bother and scare birds and dogs... and of course Its an absolute truth that that every single bird, bug and beaver is = to humans.
You are all jack a!@$#.
Happy 4th of July!
It is a time of celebration but also a time of apprehension. Our government is becoming more and more intrusive into our lives. We need to tell government to stop trying to micromanage every aspect of our lives. If we need you we will call until then sit down, shut up and leave us alone.
We could refer to the Constitution and remove the Federal Government. Just saying....
Not much to celebrate now that our Freedom has been swept away by the most intrusive corrupt government in American history.. I thought Jimmy Carter's presidency was the worst having lived through gas lines and complete incompetence but seeing people, democrats and republicans hating each other so - seems as if we are now on the brink of another civil war. Having a president say that he will do whatever he wants because he "won" doesn't feel good to conservatives and independents.. so naturally he will move the whole country to the left while half of it kicks and screams isn't good.. Don't push to far..
A house divided against itself cannot stand... and we are standing in a very precarious place
Blah Blah Blah, paste and copy your comments for the next presidency
May god bless some American's. Not the homosexuals, illegals, supreme court senility or Obama supporters. :p
then may God not bless you either
P.S Learn how to spell correctly and use proper grammar
lucchini,
you should be proud of being the epitome of a Republican today..........exclude groups of people and descriminate.......and wrap it all up with an amen.
marklepew, you are a jack a@!. Who say that Luccini is a Republican. How would you know? You are proof that all Liberals are ignorant fools.
klind,
Well let us see here...... the Pubbies don't like:
Gay rights for homosexuals
Illegals and don't even want to give them a path to citizenship
The Supreme Court decision
Obama supporters
So I think it pretty safe to say Luchini is a Republican by the comments and that you are proof that ..............arguing with you is a fool's errand.
Happy Independence Day Everyone!!! We are all in this together, Consider that the Great Seal of the United States includes the phrase; E pluribus unum — E pluribus unum (/ˈiː ˈplʊərɨbəs ˈuːnəm/; Latin [ˈeː ˈpluːrɪbʊs ˈuːnũː]) — Latin for "Out of many, one"[2] (alternatively translated as "One from many") "Out of many, one" (alternatively translated as "One from many")..
You can read and comment on more of my thoughts on Independence Day 2012 at:
Your comments both for and against ar always welcome. Share the link with your friends.
What do you know.
On the fourth of July we celebrate by mimicking bombs exploding in the air while at the same time polluting the air and water.
Then we wonder why the U.S., with less than 5 percent of the world's population, has almost a quarter of its prisoners and 25% of the world's homicides.
Larry - You Make a good point.! " WHY ".!!!????
what do your two statements have in common?
So, if we quit shooting off fireworks on the 4th we won't have any more criminals? Why didn't I think of that. The solution is so easy.
I heard carbon dioxide causes global warming. Maybe everyone should quit breathing!
"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."
-Samuel Johnson-
So!
This firework is a tribute to all the Great people who made this country, many who sacrificed their lives in getting rid of Brits, people who made the Decleration of Independance and later people who made real America. Special tributes to very great and beloved person the first president George Washington. Each time I see a firework on 4 th of July I say Thank you to Mr washington.
And its the 4th July day again! A great day a great holiday!
Many time-honored patriotic tales turn out to be more fiction than fact. On the 4th of July—marked in 2012 by a continent-spanning Google doodle—here's a look at some memorable myths from the birth of the United States.
I find it sad/funny/ironic that most sensible dems and repubs BOTH decry government intrusion... yet hate eachother so much. Is Gay Marriage and Abortion that farcking repulsive. Is Christianity and the Right to Bare Arms that farking repulsive?
I know give all that "liberals are against freedom" and "conservatives are against rights" malarky a rest.
What a bunch of negative people you are. Can't we take just one day to celebrate America and show the world that we as americans are united no matter what our political differences are. I'm am so disappointed in all your comments.
@ Patty I couldn't agree with you more....
Patty, I couldn't agree with you more! Why do some of these posters feel compelled to use America's birthday to trash Obama and/or the Democrats (or Romney and/or the Republicans) instead of celebrating the birthday of a country that has survived Depressions, world wars and God knows how many recessions and is still standing?!
God knows we have our share of problems right now (economic turmoil, wildfires, etc.), but I have every reason to believe that we will get through them and survive. As the saying goes, "you can tell how well a country's doing when you compare the number of people trying to get in versus the number of people trying to get out."
Yeah let's give all that "liberals are against freedom" and "conservatives are against rights" talk a rest.
Same thing happens to 19 year old boys the first time they have sex.
Ironically, Washington's Federalists stood for the centralized government that most Patriot conservatives rabidly oppose these days. (Jefferson was the "States' rights" guy) What a paradox...
I will alway oppose socialism. Do you need some one to tell you how to live your life?
Subject, guys subject. No politics. Where I'm from weather had no affect on the holidays. Temperature may have reached 70 degrees and that, I'm told, is the beginning of our heat wave. Seattle.
Watched the shows on three different stations for about 2 1/2 hours. On PBS (Washington DC)and NBC (Macy's New York) the music was about all patriotic and holiday appropriate. Just the way it should be. On CBS it was more about an entertainment hour (this was from Boston). Although Jenniifer Hudson is a great singer how does a song from Dreamgirls become patriotic? Also the number of commercials on CBS was out of control. We watched the holiday event live with the Boston Pops for the last 20 years or more and were very pleased. This year in the Central time zone we could not see it live. CBS had to have their other paid programming show (Criminal Intent I believe) on and so only a taped version was shown. We stopped watching ten minutes into the event. Liberty Mutual the main sponsor got taken by CBS. Then again it is CBS and they are always behind the times with news. Golly also noticed not one rap or hip hop song in all the time we watched. You mean those aren't patriotic - ha ha.
I celebrated the 4th of July by having a beer and lighting farts on my back porch. It was a great time and nobody was offended except my dog.