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A little present for the Fourth of July

Posted by ThriftShopRomantic • 6/30/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: downloads, ephemera, fourth of july, holidays, postcards, victorian

Folks here celebrating the upcoming Fourth of July-- and those who just like interesting bits of history-- might enjoy a post I'd pulled together showcasing Victorian Fourth of July postcards.

At the end of the post, you can download a PDF containing some of the images in the post, to be used on crafts, mixed media, etc.

thriftshopromantic.blogspot.com/2008/06/having-blast-with-victorian-fourth-...

I get a kick out of how holidays were celebrated 100 years ago, and I think you all might get a chuckle out of the quantity of images of small children, unsupervised, with firecrackers and cannons here.

Have any of you seen holidays change over the years in your country? If so, I'd like to hear about it. I think that might be an interesting discussion.

User Comments

6/30/08

kellybax

Very cool collection. The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I am sure if those were done nowadays, there would be warnings written all over them!

[reply]
1. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Oh, I imagine they'd go a whole different direction with 'em. Four year olds with cannons?... heh... parents would be going nuts.
6/30/08

suburbqueen

I know Christmas seems to have lost its meaning. It's just not the same as when I was little...oh wait, that's because I'm not the one getting the presents anymore. Seriously though, it seems to have become really commercialized these days.

[reply]
1. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  I've heard of a number of people focusing more on making gifts and trying to tone down the commercialism, but yes indeed.
2. 6/30/08
  
  suburbqueen
  
  That's what I've been doing with my kids the last couple of years. This year, we are "publishing" a book for relatives. The kids are really into helping write the story and are actually illustrating it themselves.
3. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Oh that's a wonderful idea. Sounds like your kids are as creative as their mom! Very cool.
6/30/08

JanelleV

i visited your blog ~ pretty interesting images : ] thanks for sharing!

[reply]
1. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Hey, you bet!
6/30/08

CrotchetyOldMan

Extremely cool. When I was a kid, it seems nearly every kid in the 'hood had access to explosives. M 80s, blockbusters, and cherry bombs were standard 4th of July fare.
Today, none to be had. All we have is the weird guy down the street shooting his shotgun off at midnight. Either that, or it's a well timed driveby.

[reply]
1. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Well, folks always somehow get a hold of them. I know some neighbors have their own miniature fireworks show, but yup-- the smaller items-- even sparklers and charcoal snakes can be hard to get a hold of nowadays, depending on what state you're in.
6/30/08

jackpayne

What goes, ka-plop, ka-plop, ka-plop, bang? Ka-plop, ka-plop, ka-plop, bang?

Not fireworks.

An Amish drive-by shooting.

[reply]
1. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  I prefer to leave the Amish out of it, as they're not online to give their side of the story.
6/30/08

crpitt

What is on the Fourth of July?

[reply]
1. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Heh- America's independence from Claire Pitt... We knew you were coming.
2. 6/30/08
  
  crpitt
  
  You can have it, I like the exchange rate
3. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Yeah, yeah, yeah...
6/30/08

crpitt

Okay I will be sensible now.

I have seen Halloween go from obscurity to madness, some people absolutely hate what it has turned into.

Bonfire night has gone from fun to miserable, due to irresponsible people with fireworks and over zealous people scared about health and safety regulations.

[reply]
1. 6/30/08
  
  kdawg68
  
  is bonfire night the same as Guy Fawkes day? No good holiday is complete without a burning effigy!
2. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  It seems blowing things up and setting stuff on fire is then a common way of celebrating many a holiday.
3. 6/30/08
  
  crpitt
  
  Yep bonfire night is Guy Fawkes Night
6/30/08

clioandme

Oh goody. Must return after class or tomorrow.

[reply]
6/30/08

morgantj

My original Fourth of July Poem -

The Fourth night you are the Stars
www.travisjmorgan.com/blog/2008/06/30/the-fourth-night-you-are-the-stars-2/

[reply]
1. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Hey, thanks for the poetic contribution, Travis!
2. 6/30/08
  
  morgantj
  
  My pleasure. Nice postcards.
6/30/08

kdawg68

I usually spend most of July 4th weekend up around Gettysburg. Already giving a tour to a couple of co-worker's relatives Monday the 7th if anyone is interested and in the area.

Spending time in the Cemetary there and on the fields is very important to me. The battle proper, of course, was fought on July 1, 2, and 3 - just in time for Independence Day, it would seem.

[reply]
1. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  That's right-- I forgot how you pretty much lived steeped in the history there.
6/30/08

kirewass

My husband and I got engaged on Fourth of July 1963. We didn't know it was USA Independence Day. Well, we are still a couple.

Quote Dwight D. Eisenhower: Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.

[reply]
1. 6/30/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Here's to your upcoming anniversary, Kirewass! Congratulations to you both.
6/30/08

ThriftShopRomantic

I'm headed offline for this evening, but will check in with folks tomorrow. So if I don't respond right away, know I'm not ignoring you. Just taking a break from the ol' computer.

[reply]
6/30/08

morgantj

I just finished creating an art piece to go along with my my original Fourth of July Poem, Check it out!

The Fourth night you are the Stars - Original Art piece and Poem
www.travisjmorgan.com/blog/2008/06/30/the-fourth-night-you-are-the-stars-2/

[reply]
1. 7/01/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Boy, you've been busy! It's a nice creative outlet to be able to do art to illustrate your own work.
7/01/08

gosmelltheflowers

Our 28th free flowers comp closes on July 4th - our small way of helping someone smell the flowers on the 4th!

www.gosmelltheflowers.com

[reply]
7/01/08

foodvu

I loved the vintage pictures of children playing with firecrackers unsupervised. Creative blog post. You've got me thinking...
A 4th of July tradition in our hometown has been centered around a historical home. The community comes together for arts & crafts, live music (Bluegrass), a cook-out and fireworks at dusk. Not too much has changed though. Christmas, however, is another story... that's for sure.

[reply]
1. 7/01/08
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  It does sound a bit like the way they used to celebrate the Fourth at the turn-of-the-century.
  
  Me, personally, I end up celebrating it with a friend I've known since I was 5. It's always a lot of fun.