Less than a month later, the delegates voted in favor of the resolution. July 4 soon became the day widely celebrated as America's birthday. Why do we set off fireworks on the 4th of July? Explore the history of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture's popularity in 4th of July celebrations, its association with fireworks, and its original context in this insightful blog. Statement from Keith Lockhart, Boston Pops Conductor: “Every one of our July 4 concerts is special to me. But this year, it will be just a bit more special because I am celebrating 30 years as conductor of the Boston Pops. That’s 30 years of fireworks, 30 years of performing the 1812 Overture, hundreds of dazzling guest artists, and 30 years of magical nights on stage at the Hatch Shell What happened on July 4, 1812. Browse historical events, famous birthdays and notable deaths from Jul 4, 1812 or search by date, day or keyword. How Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” - a piece by a Russian composer about a European war - became a staple of American July 4 celebrations. Discover the top 4th of July events in Houston for 2025 — from downtown parades and festivals to family-friendly fun across the suburbs. July 4, 1812 was the 186th day of the year 1812 in the Gregorian calendar. There were 180 days remaining until the end of the year. The day of the week was Saturday. On July 4, 1814, the United States was still embroiled in the War of 1812. As we saw last year, the American military was poorly trained and equipped compared to the British forces, but by the middle of 1814, its outlook was beginning to improve. Many people may remember when on July 4, 1974, The Boston Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Arthur Fiedler, gave Americans a rousing rendition of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture Massachusetts made July 4 an official state holiday in 1781, the first state to do so. And July 4 became more widely observed by Americans following the War of 1812 (which again pitted the United On July 4, 1812, the thirty-sixth year of American Independence, the citizens of Annapolis gathered on St. John’s College green under the shade of a majestic tulip poplar tree. It had once sheltered the soldiers of the French and American armies in 1781 on their march to Yorktown, Virginia. John Jasper (July 4, 1812 – March 30, 1901) was an ex-slave who became a Baptist minister and noted public speaker for Christianity after the American Civil War. [1] With the Fourth of July approaching, many community events in the Midlands are looking to help mark Independence Day. As American as Tchaikovsky: How the 1812 Overture Became a 4th of July Staple | Classical music inspires and restores the human spirit. KMFA handcrafts exceptional classical music experiences on-air, online, and in community. The Year 1812, Solemn Overture, Op. 49, popularly known as the 1812 Overture, [1] is a concert overture in E ♭ major written in 1880 by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. July 4, 2012, will likely see many Americans partaking in backyard barbeques and enjoying fireworks displays. However, generations of earlier Americans celebrated Independence Day in a different way: with a sermon. On this day two hundred years ago, the young United States was preparing itself to go to war yet again with a world superpower, Great Britain. In Washington, renowned orator Daniel One of the most popular pieces of classical music for the Fourth of July fireworks is Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Its full name: 1812 Festival Overture, for orchestra in E-flat major, Op. 49, was composed in 1880, to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon resulting in his retreat from Russia. 2025 Schedule The "Oval" opens at 12pm on July 4. The live concert will start at 7pm with the Mugar Family Fireworks starting at approximately 9:40pm. On July 4, families all over the U.S. celebrate our country's independence. Get kids in the patriotic spirit with these fun Fourth of July facts. On July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of Congress’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence, he died at his home in Quincy, Massachusetts, just five hours after Jefferson’s deathin Virginia.
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