The Fourth of July
U.S.
Philadelphia Museum Shaped Early American Culture()
July 13, 2008 Museums were a source of education and entertainment in early America. Philadelphia artist and naturalist Charles Willson Peale helped shape American culture by establishing what was the country's first public museum of art and science.
U.S.
Reading The Declaration Of Independence()
July 4, 2008 A July 4 tradition continues. Morning Edition hosts, reporters, newscasters and commentators read the Declaration of Independence.
U.S.
Prices And Demand Skyrocket, Not Fireworks()
July 4, 2008 A series of supply and production problems in China have caused cities across the U.S. to curtail or completely cut their fireworks shows this Fourth of July. The problems have even affected commercial sales, driving prices sky-high.
Three Books...
Celebrating The Fourth With Rebellion()
July 4, 2008 From the moment Huckleberry Finn sat on his raft and decided, "All right, then, I'll go to hell," great American books have featured people setting off on their own. Washington, D.C., writer, teacher and musician Will Layman offers three books about rebellion.
Kitchen Window
Deep In The Heart Of Texas Barbecue()
July 2, 2008 It's the Fourth of July and time for a barbecue — but don't just throw some hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. Take a stab at making real Texas barbecue — and all the fixings.
U.S.
Philadelphia, The Original American Melting Pot()
July 6, 2008 NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday travels to the historic city of Philadelphia, the first U.S. capital, as part of a month-long series to find out how Americans have changed since the 18th century – and ask what it means to be an American today.
Poetry
Maya Angelou on Wisdom, Pride and Independence()
July 4, 2007 Bestselling author, poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou is considered to be among the greatest writers alive today. In this week's Wisdom Watch, Angelou talks — and sings — about why she feels proud to be an American woman of color. Her latest book is A Song Flung Up to Heaven, the final volume of her memoirs.
Holidays
Hot Dog Eating Contest Is July 4 Tradition()
July 4, 2007 Hot dogs are a July 4 staple, and so are hot dog eating contests. Wednesday is the 91st annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. This year's winner managed to eat 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes.
U.S.
Maine Island Celebrates New Independence()
July 4, 2007 Independence Day has new meaning to the 350 year-round residents of Chebeague Island, Maine. This year, it comes during the islanders' first week of independence, after seceding from the mainland in an effort to preserve their community.
U.S.
Reading the Declaration of Independence()
July 4, 2007 An Independence Day tradition continues. Morning Edition hosts, reporters, newscasters and commentators read the Declaration of Independence. This year, we also correct a historic footnote.
