INDEPENDENCE DAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10677, 4 July 1912, Page 4

INDEPENDENCE DAY.

One hundred and thirty-six years ago, to-day ihe United States of America was declared an independent nation by the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Powers on 4th July, 1776. Since that time the "Glorious Fourth" has figured as the one clay in the ycair for Americano. No matter in what pajrt of the universe'the American finds himself on that clay, he. gives himself up to rejoicing. In. the States- itself young and old, rich and poor, alike have o:ie object on. the 4th of July, and that is to fittingly celebrate what is rightly ■considered to the anniversary of tho greatest event mi the -history of a great nation-. Far -iiose who have not experienced .an Independence Day in tha United 'Sjtatee, it in hard to realise the tre;m(e,ndous wave, cf enthusiasm /which passes over the entire country. All business is (suspended, schools are closed, and every man, woman and, child prepare- to cek/braite the great occasion, .and to do honour to their ancestors, who, after a hard-fought struggle, gained for Americans their in'depdndenee. Fireworks displays are thd chief form of honouriiiig the ".Fourth," hut of kite years so many deaths have resulted from fireworks that steps have been taken to retiide.r •this form of jubilation ki?s' dangerous. The fact remains, however, that nothing will induce the true American to iroliuqnidi paying a fitting tribute to Independence Day.