I was seven years old in 1976 and the 4th of July anniversary was a big deal filled with excitement. We shot our toy cap guns, noise makers and fireworks and there was a big parade down the main street filled with bands, men dressed as revolutionary soldiers and I believe they even shot off a cannon from the revolutionary war era.
This year in 2026, many of the fireworks celebrations and parades were called off due to extreme heat. Since our town did not cancel the fireworks we drove down to a parking lot and watched the fireworks from there. Then we drove home.
In 1976 America had just lost the Vietnam War and most young people were glad they were not going to get sent to some god forsaken jungle to get killed or maimed for the man. Definitely cause for celebration.
In 2026, people are concerned about Fascists, Communists, Oligarchs and billionaires getting tax breaks as well as being on the precipice of a World War. Apparently people are also scared of Jews plying the masses with explosive matzah ball soup. Aside from that, most people just want to know what Taylor Swift wore to her wedding. Many people have little to no historical background about the Revolutionary War or feel great pride about the American experiment short of the latest change on the local fast food menu. When I was a kid we played with cap guns that today would probably have the police shoot us in a homicidal panic. Today we have air conditioners that most did not have in 1976 and we let them rule our lives and our celebrations.
Times have changed.
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