Independence Day 2021 This is Independence Day 2021 We are just going to have a "hi" and "bye" session today because - July 4, 2021. Laura Beavers: That's right. C. K. Williams: You know, I learned some really cool stuff about Independence Day 2021 today. So, what I learned today about Independence Day, or about some people on Independence Day, was that people like James Madison and a few other statesmen of that time, who were a big part of waging war against England, thought that July 2 should be Independence Day. Laura Beavers: And why is that? C. K. Williams: Well, that's actually when the Independence Declaration was signed and then ratified on the fourth day July. So, several of these men felt that July 2 should have been the day that we celebrate as Independence Day. James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, who were actually political rivals, believe it or not, (they butted heads quite frequently) but after there political careers, they actually became good acquaintances. Anyway, these two men thought that July 2 should be Independence Day. Oddly enough, both of those men died on July 4 - 50 years after this all came to be. Isn't that crazy? Laura Beavers: That is crazy. C. K. Williams: They died on the same day. We Declared Independence C. K. Williams: Now, here's something else I found out. You do realize why we declared Independence, right? Laura Beavers: Right C. K. Williams: The bottom line is that King George was very heavy-handed, if you will. He was taxing the colonies so badly that they couldn't make anything. It went against what everybody who came here, planned to do. King George just wanted extra territory. And the people who were wanted freedom. So, the tyrant, King George, when he got his fanny handed to him, during the War for Independence, after that the some of the colonies would have mock funerals for King George every year for Independence Day. Laura Beavers: Now that's funny. 4th of July Celebrations C. K. Williams: Yes it is. So, fourth of July celebrations, or celebrations of this kind have been going on for 2300 years. I didn't know this. Firecrackers in 200 B.C.! Who would've thought it? After we won the war, gun-ships would fire thirteen-gunshots, one for each of the thirteen colonies, here in the United States. I think our listeners want to get back to what they were doing. After all, it is Independence Day. It is Independence Day, isn't it? Laura Beavers: It is. C. K. Williams: There were a lot of fireworks out there last night, wasn't there? Laura Beavers: There was. C. K. Williams: I some some a little while ago. They going off in every direction - North, South, East, and West, I saw fireworks going off everywhere. Be Safe this Independence Day C. K. Williams: I hope nobody catches any barns on fire this year, or launches any bottle rockets in the wrong direction. What my sister and I did as kids, we shot bottle rockets at each other. I did shoot one at her. It bounced off the street and it caught her hair on fire. It was really kind of a surprise. I wasn't supposed to do that. I'm only saying be careful with your bottle rockets. No, me and my sister don't shoot bottle rockets at each other anymore. But, anyway, stay safe for the holiday. I understand that some people will be out of school, or off work or whatever tomorrow so, watch yourself. Be careful if you're out on the roads. Don't be acting crazy, riding around with open containers. Laura Beaver's Birthday And one more thing, tomorrow is July 5 and that just happens to be Laura Beaver's fifth birthday. We are so proud of our little girl. Happy birthday, tomorrow. Happy birthday! Laura Beavers: Thank you. C. K. Williams: You're welcome. How old will you be? Oh! That's rude! I'm not supposed to ask that am I? Laura Beavers: I'm not ashamed. I'll be 50. C. K. Williams: Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful fourth of July evening. Stay safe.
