HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY FROM THE ANCH
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FOURTH OF JULY
Fourth of July also known as Independence Day is a national holiday that honors the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was signed by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. The time the signing took place the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's king George III. There was severe unrest in the colonies over taxes that had to be paid to England. This was where the phrase "Taxation Without Representation" began. The king sent troops over to the United States to control the rebellion.
In April 1775 the King's troops advanced on Concord, Massachusetts. This marked the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence. The Second Continental Congress tried to work out their differences with England for about one year to no avail. A committee was formed to compose the Declaration of Independence. It consisted of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft. After many changes it was finally approved on July 4 with 9 voting for and 2 against. The majority won. President John Hancock signed the document to make it official. The following day copies of the document were distributed.
Although the signing of the Declaration of Independence was not completed until August 4th, July 4 has been accepted as the official anniversary of Independence Day. The first celebration took place on July 4, 1777. The traditon of parades, picnics, and fireworks was established as the way to celebrate.
The Liberty Bell, a historic bell was rung on July 8, 1776 after the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The bell weighs 2080 lbs and is 12 feet in circumference at the lip. The bell is located in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, PA. The first bell was orderd in 1751 and cast in London. It arrived in Philadelphia in August 1752 and was cracked while being tested. It was melted down and a second bell was cast in April 1753 but the second was also defective. The third bell was cast by the firm of Pass and Stowe in Philadelphia. On June 7, 1753 the third bell was hung in the tower of Independence Hall.
SOME FAMILY RECIPES FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY
This recipe is from my Aunt Maria from North Carolina. It is a paella recipe which is a Spanish recipe. It is a traditional dish that is served as the main course in Spain. This dish has rice, chicken, pork and vegetables. It is cooked in a large pan on the stove or over hot coals on an outdoor fireplace or grill. Some people use a special pan called a paella pan but if you don't have one you can use any very large flat frying pan. Please note is is important to use real saffron which gives paella the yellow color and flavors that make it unique.
AUNT MARIA'S PAELLA RECIPE
1 whole chicken cut up into pieces
1/2 pound lean pork cut into bite size pieces
1/3 cup of oil
In a large frying pan brown the chicken and the pork on top of the stove or grill over medium heat.
After the meat is browned add:
Water to cover the chicken and the pork.
5 tablespoons of tomato sauce
1 green pepper cored, seeded and diced fine
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon of fresh parsley chopped fine
1 teaspoon of garlic salt
Boil everthing for about 1/2 hour on stove or grill over medium heat
Then add
1 large package of frozen or fresh sting beans
Boil another 10 minutes over medium heat
Measure the following ingredients leaving the broth or stock till last
2 cups of white rice
4 cups of chicken stock or broth
Real saffron to taste
Add the ingredients to the pan. Let it come to a boil again then add 1 can of drained pinto beans over the top.
Do not stir. Cook until it dries out over medium heat making sure that it boils away evenly and the rice is cooked. Then serve and eat, eat, eat!!!!
The recipe was given to me by my mom. It is a easy dessert for a picnic or holiday. They are called Jiffy Cheesecake Cups. This dessert is so easy and delicious most people will want to make a couple batches for their picnics.
JIFFY CHEESECAKE CUPS
2 eight-ounce packages cream cheese
3/4 cups sugar
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 box vanilla wafers
2 eggs
Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners. Put in two vanilla wafers per liner. Cream the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Then Mix the vanilla, lemon juice, eggs together with the cream cheese mixture. Blend until smooth. Fill the cups cake liners 3/4 full with mixture. Bake in 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. Cool 1/2 hour. Top with cherry pie filling. Makes about 20 cupcakes. These are so good you could eat a batch youself.