Independence Day

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One Dead, 9 Injured in Fireworks Blast

It's not yet clear if explosion in western Michigan was part of organized Fourth of July event

(Newser) - A fireworks explosion in western Michigan killed one woman and left nine other people with injuries ranging from critical to minor, the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department said. The explosion happened Monday, but a news release from the department didn't say whether it occurred during an organized July Fourth...

Richmond Police: 'Hero Citizen' Thwarted July 4 Shooting Plot

The intended target was reportedly the Dogwood Dell

(Newser) - Updated with more details on the alleged plot. Police in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday said a mass shooting was planned for their city on July 4, but that they fielded a tip that allowed them to thwart the plot. In an afternoon press conference, Police Chief Gerald Smith said a...

The City of Orlando's July 4 Message Didn't Land Well

It's now apologizing for message acknowledging some might not feel like celebrating the holiday

(Newser) - Orlando's Independence Day message was seemingly an attempt to commiserate with those unhappy and stressed over recent events in the news, but all it did was create a backlash that extended all the way to the Florida governor's office. The city newsletter that went out on Friday acknowledged...

Across US, Giant 'Lite-Brite' in Sky to Replace July 4 Fireworks

Drones increasingly being used in lieu of traditional July 4 pyrotechnics due to fire, noise concerns

(Newser) - Goodbye, fireworks finales; hello ... drone formations? That's what multiple cities across the US may be seeing this July Fourth weekend, with traditional pyrotechnics shows replaced with drone light extravaganzas—especially in the Southwest, where just one spark on the drought-affected landscape can set off an inferno. Axios reports this...

Nations, Church Decry Displays of Anti-Semitism on Holiday

Polish nationalists shouted 'Death to Jews' during Independence Day celebrations

(Newser) - Israeli and Polish government officials on Saturday condemned an antisemitic incident involving Polish nationalists chanting "Death to Jews" on Poland's Independence Day this week. Participants at the gathering also burned a copy of a medieval document that offered Jews protection and rights in Polish lands, the AP reports....

Mark Zuckerberg's July 4 Post Was ... Interesting

Facebook CEO's somewhat bizarre Instagram video intrigued the internet

(Newser) - Amid a sea of July 4 social media posts, Mark Zuckerberg's stood out. The Facebook CEO posted an Independence Day greeting Sunday on Instagram , and while his caption was simple and straightforward—"Happy July 4th!"—the video he put up alongside it has reached "meme-worthy"...

Frederick Douglass Statue Toppled

Abolitionist gave 'What to the Slave is the Fourth of July' speech in Rochester in 1852

(Newser) - A statue of abolitionist Frederick Douglass was ripped from its base in Rochester, NY, on the anniversary of one of his most famous speeches, delivered in that city in 1852. Police said the statue of Douglass was taken on Sunday from Maplewood Park, a site along the Underground Railroad where...

Celebratory 4th of July Gunfire Kills Woman

Durham, NC, police are asking for anyone with information to call

(Newser) - Celebratory gunfire turned fatal over the holiday weekend in Durham, North Carolina, WFXR-TV reports. A few community members "chose to put our community at risk by carelessly firing guns into the air. This reckless behavior led to the tragic death of Ms. Paulette Thorpe," who was shot around...

Trump at Rushmore: Protests, Few Masks, a Miffed Neil Young

President's 'divisive' address in SD went after 'far-left fascism,' protesters for racial justice

(Newser) - On the eve of the Fourth, President Trump gave a speech in South Dakota, at the foot of Mount Rushmore, and it wasn't a staid one. Fox News called it "fiery," the Guardian went with a similar take of "incendiary," while the New York Times...

Deepfake Video Puts Trump in Independence Day

And Bill Pullman responds

(Newser) - President Trump, leading the charge in Independence Day? Yep, Trump tweeted Saturday a deepfake video of himself superimposed on footage of the classic blockbuster—so now it's Trump giving Bill Pullman's rousing speech to pilots about uniting for battle against extraterrestrial invaders, Deadline reports. Superimposed on pilots' faces...

Fourth of July Events Are Already Toast

Officials aren't expecting the coronavirus to go away

(Newser) - Have plans for Fourth of July? Better make sure they're not cancelled. The News & Observer reports that at least a half dozen cities from Redwood City, Calif., to Ithaca, NY, are already nixing Independence Day events amid concerns over the coronavirus. That includes the much-loved festival in Southport,...

Trump Asks Americans to 'Stay True to Our Cause'

He steered clear of politics in Fourth of July address

(Newser) - President Trump celebrated the story of America as "the greatest political journey in human history" in a Fourth of July commemoration before a soggy but cheering crowd of spectators on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial, the AP reports. As rain fell on him, Trump called on Americans to...

This Is America's Most Patriotic State

New Hampshire tops the list for 2019

(Newser) - It's Independence Day—do you know how patriotic your state is? WalletHub looked at 13 factors, including voting numbers, volunteerism rates, military engagement, trial and grand jury participation, the share of residents participating in groups or organizations, and even a state's civics education requirement. Based on all that,...

10 Best, Worst Cities to Celebrate July 4

The Big Apple promises the best time, while San Bernardino falls last

(Newser) - Tomorrow is Independence Day, meaning you still have time to get to where the best celebrations are going to be. WalletHub tries to suss those out for you, looking at the 100 most populous cities in the nation across five major categories: affordability, attractions and activities, safety and accessibility, the...

It's Been 70 Years Since There's Been a July 4 Speech Like Trump's

President to address the nation from Lincoln Memorial

(Newser) - More details are emerging about President Trump's Fourth of July event in Washington, which the New York Times describes as "the next best thing" to Trump's axed military parade . As hundreds of thousands gather at the National Mall for the celebration, Trump will address the nation from...

Trump Has a New Parade Idea
Trump Has a New Parade Idea
Feb 12, 2019 2:40 PM CST

Trump Has a New Parade Idea

Proposes Independence Day parade at Lincoln Memorial

(Newser) - President Trump is once again proposing a parade. This time, it's an Independence Day parade at the Lincoln Memorial. According to USA Today , Trump told Cabinet members Tuesday that a July 4 parade at the memorial "could be an exciting day" and might "become a tradition."...

The White House July 4th Concert Includes ... Who?

Marquee names still keeping a distance from President Trump

(Newser) - Tuning into the White House July 4th concert on the Hallmark channel? You're not likely to see many celebs, unless you like American Idol finalists—"as in, not actual winners," the Washington Post explains. Idol alumni Jax and Jonny Brenns, country singer Sara Evans, and Russian-born classical...

At Least 102 Shot in Chicago Over Holiday Weekend

Cops there are 'frustrated'

(Newser) - It was a long and bloody weekend in Chicago, where police say at least 102 people were shot between Friday afternoon and early Wednesday, 15 of them fatally. Police say they're "perplexed" and "frustrated" by the scale of the gun violence, which comes after a relatively peaceful...

Phoenix Bans Old West-Style Shooting Game at July 4 Fest

City 'not comfortable' showing guns 'in a fun or glorified way'

(Newser) - An Arizona couple's Old West-style shooting game will not be among the activities at a July Fourth celebration in Phoenix on Monday night, the AP reports. Pete and Valerie Fowler say Prescott Pete's Highfalutin Shooting Gallery was deemed inappropriate by organizers of Fabulous Phoenix 4th. According to a...

Pals Tried to Stop Man From Lighting Firework on Head

But Devon Staples' brother says it was just a 'freak accident'

(Newser) - A 22-year-old who once entertained kids at Disney World died in what his brother calls a "freak accident" on July 4. Devon Staples of Calais, Maine, had been drinking and celebrating the Fourth in a friend's backyard when he set a firework off of his own head, a...

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