249 years and counting. 365 days to go until the arrival of the quarter millennial in the USA. July 4, 2026, will mark our nation’s 250th birthday!
Throughout our country’s long history, the sacrifices and hard times endured by those whose actions gave birth to “the land of the free and home of the brave” have tended to give way to fireworks and picnics far removed from the birthing struggle that made today and every Fourth of July since possible.
In the turmoiled times of 1968, the Steve Miller Band’s hit song “Living in the U.S.A.” was released amidst the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy and the ongoing Vietnam War. Sixteen years later, in 1984, Lee Greenwood recorded what many consider the most patriotic pop song, “God Bless the USA.”
Sadly, on this 4th of July, the advocates of turmoil and the proponents of patriotism stand and shout at odds with each other, so much so that each group of Americans hardly recognizes and understands the discord they are causing. On this July 4th and, hopefully, all those to follow, “Living in the U.S.A.” and “God Bless the USA” can bring all people to the understanding that the USA is worth celebrating and upholding every day of their lives.
In the days of Lexington & Concord and Bunker Hill, backyard get-togethers and sporting events were not on their to-do list. But as cornhole, beer-pong, volleyball, and the like make their appearances this July 4th, the citizen soldiers carrying the muskets did partake of some free time pastimes. History records that bowling, cricket, quoits, cards, and some form of what we today call football were popular.
So, too, was a game called stoolball. The activity resembled cricket. A pitcher would throw a ball at a target, usually a stool, but sometimes a tree or other object could be substituted. A second player tried to swat the ball away, either with his hand or a paddle, so that it didn’t strike the stool.
As July 4th has moved into the modern era, sports are still a big part of the day. Rather ironically, the most celebrated sport of the holiday occurs in the land of the 249-years-ago vanished Red Coats. As our American birthday is observed, the famed grass courts at Wimbledon dominate the sports headlines each year.
Here at home, a few of the headline-making sporting events have included:
1919 – Jack Dempsey beat Jess Williard to win the world’s heavyweight boxing championship.
1934 – The Philadelphia Phillies moved into their new home, Shibe Park, and were stung by the Boston Bees 10-5.
1937 – The Yankees Lou Gehrig’s #4 became the first player to have his number retired and made the iconic “luckiest man on the face of the earth” speech.
1983 – The Yankees Dave Righetti pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox, winning 4-0.
Akin to many lost traditions of the past, the July 4th doubleheader has long ago fallen by the wayside, a victim of greed by the owners and players. The first baseball doubleheader was played in 1873 and gained popularity similar to football games on Thanksgiving morning. That tradition carried well into the 1960s but has long since passed from the scene. The last MLB scheduled doubleheader was in 2011. In recent seasons there have been a few teams that didn’t even have a scheduled game on the holiday.
Double headers were once the prime driver in the schedule and the first items of interest to fans. Fans knew that Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day were days when the old Ernie Bank adage of “Let’s play two” would happen.
But the prime reason doubleheaders were abandoned was economics. Baseball owners earn an average of $1.5 million for every home game and are thus reluctant to give up a single game home date. The MLB CBA (Collective Bargaining Act) also restricts the number of double headers that can be scheduled.
The July 4th doubleheader was a happening in many cities and often featured team rivalries. The Yankees/Red Sox, Tigers/Indians, and Athletics/Senators repeatedly played two games on the holiday.
Innovative Cleveland Indians owner Bill Veeck celebrated July 4th in unique ways. He once gave red-white-and-blue straw hats to every man entering the ballpark, ballpark employees dressed as our founding fathers, giving out copies of the Declaration of Independence, and fireworks.
If you are a baseball fan, this season, all 30 MLB teams will be playing on the holiday. Locally, the Williamsport Crosscutters will be hosting the State College Spikes, with game time set for 1:05 p.m.
Whatever your holiday plans may be, your sporting preferences, or your political persuasion, take pause, count your blessings, and realize that being an American gives you not only rights but responsibilities to honor what has come before you to make this the land of the free.
Happy 4th of July!
