Impending Firework Disasters

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the freedom to set off fireworks in their back yard." ~ Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration Of Independence, first draft 

"Dammit, Franklin! I know Livingston was having a nap, but that is no excuse for setting off fireworks under his chair!" ~ John Adams, June 20th, 1776

"Mr. Hamilton, we are trying to sneak up on the Hessians. No, you may not set off fireworks right now." ~ George Washington, December 26th, 1776

"Four score and seven days ago, my son Tad set off fireworks in the White House during a cabinet meeting." ~ Abraham Lincoln, March 7th, 1863

"Speak softly and set off big firecrackers, and you will entertain people." ~ Theodore Roosevelt

"If you want to make enemies, set off fireworks in your back yard the week after the Fourth of July and see what your neighbors say." ~ Woodrow Wilson

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask how many fireworks you can set off for your country." ~ John F. Kennedy

Happy Independence Day to my American readers. As has been the case with my Canada Day posts, so too do I mark the occasion with images of places from across the United States. As your country has fifty states (and one district), my habit has been to divide them in half and do one half one year, one half the next year. Which ones are you familiar with?

Fort Kent State Historic Site, Maine

Old North Church, Boston, Massachusetts

Glen Ellis Falls, New Hampshire

Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area, Delaware

Dry Falls, North Carolina

Cape Canaveral, Florida

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park, Atlanta, Georgia

National Memorial For Peace And Justice, Montgomery, Alabama

Red River Gorge, Kentucky

Harry S. Truman Birthplace State Historic Site, Missouri

Wild Bill Hickok State Monument, Illinois

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska

White Butte, North Dakota

Bighorn Canyon, Montana

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

River Walk, San Antonio, Texas

Montezuma Castle National Monument, Arizona

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Diamond Head, Hawaii

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska