Thursday is Independence Day! There are lots of ways to celebrate the founding of the United States; the most familiar may be to watch a #parade and #fireworks. For a “destination” Fourth, however, Lonely Planet suggests Mount Rushmore, where reenactors portraying George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt hobnob with tourists. Colonial Williamsburg is another good destination, offering #historic re-creations and #patriotic sing-a-longs. For big parades and fireworks displays, head directly to New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., or Addison, Texas. #FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay
Tag: celebrating
On the Occasion of Black History Month
This February is a leap year, so you’ll have an extra day to #celebrate Black History Month — not that there’s anything to keep you from #celebrating throughout the year. “Throughout our history, Black Americans have never given up on the promise of America,” says a proclamation from the Biden Administration. “Unbowed by the forces of hate and undaunted as they fought for centuries against slavery, segregation and injustice, Black Americans have held a mirror up to our nation, pushing us to live up to our founding ideals. In the process, the vibrancy of Black history and culture has enriched every aspect of American life.” #BlackHistoryMonth
Observing Black History Month 2024
Today marks the beginning of Black History Month 2024, themed “African Americans and the Arts.” USA Today’s Reviewed suggests celebrating by reading Black authors such as Colson Whitehead, learning more about Black history, listening to music by Black recording artists, or visiting a museum or historical site. Search the web for local events and celebrations, or make a point of visiting Black-owned businesses when you shop and dine out — visit Support Black-Owned to find businesses in your area, and make Black History Month an everyday thing. #BlackHistoryMonth
Holiday Traditions Around the World
Though you might not know it to look at the ads, stores and events, the #holidays mean more than #Christmas alone. In fact, nearly every faith and most cultures around the world will observe festive winter #holiday #traditions this month.
Hanukkah is currently underway, a #celebration that commemorates a rebellion in Judea that saw the Maccabees retake and rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem. More than 2,000 years later, The Organizing Blog hopes that peace can prevail this holiday.
A growing tradition in the United States, Kwanzaa is modeled after traditional African harvest festivals. The seven-day celebration begins the day after Christmas and lasts until the new year, with each day representing principles of faith, family and community.
Buddhists celebrate Bodhi Day on Dec. 8 each year to celebrate Siddhartha Gautama’s spiritual enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi tree in the 5th century B.C. The day is observed with meditation, acts of kindness and often a humble meal of tea and cake.
Observations of the winter solstice go back to the Stone Age. Pagans celebrate the longest night of the year at Stonehenge, thought to be a celestial “clock” due to the arrangement of its stones, but the event is also celebrated by the Hopi and with holidays in China, Sweden and Iran.
Avid #declutterers and Orthodox Christians may wish to celebrate a pre-Christmas holiday, St. Nicholas Day. Symbolizing good deeds that Santa Claus’ inspiration was known for such as giving away his possessions, the day is associated with acts of service such as volunteering, sharing and raising money for charity.
And let’s not forget the anti-Christmas of Krampusnacht. Krampus — the goat-like evil twin of Santa — appears on Dec. 5 in Central Europe to remind children to be nice during the holidays or risk the penalty of being snatched and eaten.
The modern practice of getting a bucket of fried chicken at KFC on Christmas Eve notwithstanding, The Organizing Blog’s favorite Japanese winter holiday tradition is likely Omisoka, a New Year’s Eve celebration centered around a household #deep-cleaning.
However you choose to #celebrate, The Organizing Blog wishes you and yours a safe and happy holiday season!
Celebrating the Fourth of July Outdoors
The #pandemic is subsiding in most parts of the country, mostly thanks to a vigorous push to get people vaccinated against COVID-19 as quickly as possible. But you may still wish celebrate Independence Day outdoors this weekend.
The pandemic pushed people to take more of their activities outdoors over the last 18 months since the virus is difficult to transmit in open, well-ventilated areas. And there’s no reason to stop enjoying the outdoors — and the summer sun — now!
You may opt to get together with friends and family over a cookout or at the pool to observe the nation’s 244th birthday over the long weekend. Any or all of these options will now be relatively safe if you continue to take common-sense precautions.
The World Health Organization advises that even fully vaccinated people wear masks and practice other preventive measures such as hand-washing and social distancing to discourage the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.
Most people will be eager to see a parade and fireworks display since so many were canceled in 2020. Leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals, however — with record temperatures throughout the western half of the country, the risk of fire is substantial.
What’s more, pets and veterans alike may be traumatized by fireworks, says American Humane. The boom and bombast of ceremonial fireworks isn’t much different from live ammunition when you suffer from #PTSD.
Veterans’ groups will participate in Independence Day events throughout the country, however, appearing at parades and festivals. Many will feature fundraising for veterans’ causes, and all offer locals the opportunity to #thankaveteran personally.
If you have time, visit one of the country’s many state and national parks. More people have embraced hiking and camping during the pandemic, and there is probably no better or healthier way to see “America the Beautiful” up close.
Whatever you choose to do over the long weekend, try to get outside and celebrate the nation’s birthday safely. The pandemic is not yet over, but the good weather will end before you know it.