Share
A simple question about the quintessential American holiday of fireworks, cookouts and parades isn’t always simple.
As Americans celebrate the nation’s 242nd birthday, some feel a deeper sense of patriotism. For others, the social issues roiling the country weigh heavy this Independence Day.
Standing in front of Boston’s Faneuil Hall on Tuesday, tour guide Cara McIntyre said she takes special pride this time of the year in recounting the courage of American colonists like Samuel Adams, who called for rebellion against the English crown in fiery speeches at the historic hall.
Lamenting the Loss of Civility
But she laments that Americans’ ability to respectfully debate the toughest issues of the day — to disagree without being disagreeable — seems hopelessly lost.
“This bitter divisiveness of the last decade, I think the Founding Fathers would be really sad about that,” said the 57-year-old Massachusetts native as she greeted passers-by in her floral-print, colonial-era dress. “Social media has made bullies of all of us. People say things there that they’d never say to someone’s face.”
In Chicago, Philip Wiley, a 77-year-old retired public school counselor, is blunt about what’s ailing the nation.
“A lot of it has to do with the present administration in Washington,” Wiley said as he stopped to admire a massive flag hanging from the city’s iconic Wrigley Building Tuesday.
Best of Times in USA

Champion plans to mark the holiday the way he spends most days — selling watermelons, tomatoes, corn, plums and other produce from the back of his truck along a highway about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Birmingham, Alabama.
“I know it’s a big holiday and I love the holiday because it’s our independence,” said Champion, 77, of rural Shelby County. “But I have to sell this stuff, and I make money.”
Put Aside Politics on Independence Day
Out in Anchorage, Alaska, Darl Schaaff says July Fourth should be a time for a deeply divided nation to put personal politics aside.
“This is not about politics,” he said as took a break from helping set up the city’s downtown celebration. “This is about the founding of our country and freedom.”
Vietnam War veteran and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas Moe, in Lancaster, Ohio, said the holiday should be a day to appreciate the differences that make the nation great.
“At a time when we seem to be at each other’s throats more than ever, I think we need to step back a little bit,” said the 74-year -old, who spent more than five years as a prisoner of war and later served as director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services. “We could be like Venezuela, or Russia or China, where everybody on the surface says or thinks the same thing, and we never want to go that way.”
Tribalism Divides Us
In Portland, Maine, chef Brad Messier agreed with the sentiments but said the country’s tribalism is too great to ignore.
“This is a holiday that, in theory, brings us together as a country but, in reality, we’re still camped out on our two very separate sides,” Messier said as he manned a booth selling strawberries and other produce at a downtown Portland farmers’ market. “For me, it seems to illustrate the glaring divides that we have. What we come together for is very superficial. How much does going and seeing fireworks really bring people together?”
The American Dream Continues

The father of two boys, who came to the Bronx from Mexico when he was just seven was one of 200 immigrants taking their citizenship oath at New York City’s Public Library on Tuesday.
The timing of the momentous occasion wasn’t lost on him.
“I have my kids. I have my home,” Herrera said. “You could say we made our dream come true.”
Fusion Energy Race Is On. Two Local Lawmakers Want California to Lead the Way
34 minutes ago
LA County Reaches $4 Billion Agreement to Settle Sexual Abuse Claims at Juvenile Facilities
2 hours ago
Fresno Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Deadly Marijuana DUI Crash
2 hours ago
Fresno Burial Ceremony to Honor Five Abandoned Babies Set for Saturday
3 hours ago
Visalia Man Arrested for Soliciting Sex From Minor in Kingsburg
4 hours ago
Trump Goes Golfing While Stock Market Chunks
5 hours ago
Markets Plunge With S&P 500 Down 6% and Dow Down 2,200 After China Retaliates
10 minutes ago
Categories

Markets Plunge With S&P 500 Down 6% and Dow Down 2,200 After China Retaliates

Fresno Police Searching for Missing 12-Year-Old Girl

Fusion Energy Race Is On. Two Local Lawmakers Want California to Lead the Way

LA County Reaches $4 Billion Agreement to Settle Sexual Abuse Claims at Juvenile Facilities
