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The United States should consider itself lucky. Last year for my birthday I got a pair of socks. Every year America gets fireworks, parades, and a hot dog eating contest. Ok, well maybe I could do without the hot dog eating contest. Every July 4th we traditionally celebrate this great nation we live in with picnics, parades, and barbeques. July marks the very beginnings of summer and that means steaks sizzling on the grill and the smell of chlorine from a pool permeating through the air. It’s a time for awkward family reunions and late night colorful explosions in the sky. July 4th is also a popular time to take a trip or curl your toes into the sand and watch the waves wash up on the beach. No matter what, Independence Day is a day to enjoy and perhaps most of all, a welcome day off from work (don’t tell my boss I said that). What kind of Independence Day blog would this be without a quick history lesson Though the voting for independence actually took place on July 2nd, Independence Day specifically refers to the date in 1776 when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was signed in Philadelphia by 56 delegates though the first, and perhaps most recognizable signature was John Hancock. It’s common knowledge of course, that the original 13 colonies seceded from Britain because of their terrible fish and chips. Or maybe it was, as the saying goes, taxation without representation. Either could be true.        But of course, everyone knows the best way to get pumped up for Independence Day and be patriotic is to buy a red, white, or blue pump. Pumps are almost as American as apple pie and are truly the gift that keeps on giving. PumpProducts.com sells the highest quality pumps made right here in the good ol’ US of A.  So browse our website while munching on your hotdog and waiting for the sky show to begin. Fun Facts: Calvin Coolidge was the only president born on the 4th of July About 150 million hot dogs are consumed during the 4th of July weekend $675,000,000 is expected to be spent on fireworks this year (New York City has the biggest fireworks display in the country) Congress declared July 4th as an official holiday in 1870 as part of a bill to officially recognize other holidays, Christmas being one of them. The oldest, continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is the 4th of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island; it began in 1785. Happy 243rd Birthday America from all of us at Pump Products! Pump Products applications engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.

Happy Independence Day from Pump Products! It’s more than just a classic 90s scifi action movie starring legendary actors Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum. It is also perhaps the most sacred and uniquely American of all holidays, a date that every child learns at an early age. It is a day to gather with family and friends and celebrate our freedom as a sovereign nation. The date of course, celebrates the original thirteen colonies breaking away from Great Britain to form a new nation. Specifically, the date marks official congressional approval for the written Declaration of Independence which occurred at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Interestingly, independence was technically declared on July 2 of that year, while most of the actual signing took place on August 2, 1776. As we know, conflict had been brewing long before the Continental Congress convened in the hot summer months of 1776.  The American Revolutionary War would not end until September of 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Nevertheless, July 4 is the date that has stuck in the cultural memory and the date that has become an important federal holiday. Whatever the particular dates, Independence is a focal point of national pride and the fact that it takes place during the summer also associates the day with all manner of outdoor activities, such as cookouts, picnics, baseball games, parades and watching fireworks. History July 4 was immediately recognized as a seminal, earth-shaking moment. As early as 1777, celebrations were held to commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration. In Philadelphia, celebrations would be easily recognizable to a modern audience: a parade was held, fireworks were lit and food was plentiful. Various types of celebrations were held over the years, but the day did not actually become a paid federal holiday until 1938. Did You Know While the singers of the Declaration all have historical significance as “Founding Fathers” the only two signatories who would go on to become President were John Adams (in 1797) and Thomas Jefferson (in 1801). The man who derives the most fame from the signing is probably John Hancock whose signature quite literally looms large on the page. Because of the obvious visibility of Hancock’s signature, “Sign your John Hancock” was for a time a popular colloquialism. Traditions and Customs As with any holiday, performing certain rituals is an important part of the observance. The practice allows people to fully immerse themselves in the holiday spirit and feel connected to the people of the past. --Watching the fireworks --Grilling outside --Having a family reunion where your weird cousin fights with your drunk uncle --Spontaneously singing the national anthem and/or “God Bless America” --Shooting some British people with a musket (Just kidding! This is a joke. Pump Products is not liable if you decide to shoot a British person.) Pump Products applications engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.