Description: Three photographs document Fourth of July festivities in Hamilton, Ohio in 1968. The first photograph shows a flag-raising ceremony, while three others are of the Fourth of July parade. The photographs measure 2" x 2" (5.08 x 5.08 cm). Independence Day, celebrated on July 4th, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although Congress voted for independence on July 2nd, the declaration was dated July 4th. In 1777, Philadelphia marked the occasion by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells, and fireworks, and the custom eventually spread to other towns. During the Revolutionary War, the holiday was celebrated by rifle and cannon salutes, setting a precedent for booming noises. Independence Day celebrations traditionally include fireworks, parades, picnics, speeches, and military displays. Observations throughout the nation became even more common at the end of the War of 1812. In 1941, Congress declared July 4 a federal holiday. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3250_4435668_001
Subjects: Daily Life; Fourth of July celebrations; Holidays; Parades; Flags
Places: Hamilton (Ohio); Butler County (Ohio)
 

Description: Fourth of July festivities in Hamilton, Ohio in 1968 included a children's wagon parade. Five photographs show children in the wagon-decorating contest, along with their toy wagons decorated as conestoga wagons and other patriotic themes. The photographs measure 2" x 2" (5.08 x 5.08 cm). Independence Day, celebrated on July 4th, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although Congress voted for independence on July 2nd, the declaration was dated July 4th. In 1777, Philadelphia marked the occasion by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells, and fireworks, and the custom eventually spread to other towns. During the Revolutionary War, the holiday was celebrated by rifle and cannon salutes, setting a precedent for booming noises. Independence Day celebrations traditionally include fireworks, parades, picnics, speeches, and military displays. Observations throughout the nation became even more common at the end of the War of 1812. In 1941, Congress declared July 4 a federal holiday. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3250_4435686_005
Subjects: Daily Life; Fourth of July celebrations; Holidays; Parades; Wagons; Children
Places: Hamilton (Ohio); Butler County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photographs documenting a Fourth of July parade of boats held on Buckeye Lake in Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1969. Buckeye Lake near Millersport, Ohio, was built in 1826 as a feeder lake for the canal system. Recreation was a popular activity at the lake in the 19th century, and many people visited Buckeye Lake Amusement Park, which operated in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1949, Buckeye Lake State Park was created. Independence Day, celebrated on July 4th, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although Congress voted for independence on July 2nd, the declaration was dated July 4th. In 1777, Philadelphia marked the occasion by adjourning Congress and celebrating with bonfires, bells, and fireworks, and the custom eventually spread to other towns. During the Revolutionary War, the holiday was celebrated by rifle and cannon salutes, setting a precedent for booming noises. Independence Day celebrations traditionally include fireworks, parades, picnics, speeches, and military displays. Observations throughout the nation became even more common at the end of the War of 1812. In 1941, Congress declared July 4th a federal holiday. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3251_4435708_002
Subjects: Sports; Fourth of July celebrations; Boats; Parades; Buckeye Lake (Ohio)--History;
Places: Millersport (Ohio); Fairfield County (Ohio)
 

Description: A decorated white Chevrolet step van takes part in a Fourth of July Bicentennial parade in Portsmouth, Ohio, July 4, 1976. Various slogans and statements appear on the van, including "200 Years of Freedom," "Stand Up for America," "Freedom Forever" and "America We Love You," along with many other patriotic decals, flags and graphics. A label on the side of the van identifies its proprietor as Cramer Burks, Low Temp. Contractor of London, Ohio. The image was submitted by photographer William B. Lee of Portsmouth in the Amateur category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B02F95_01_01
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Parades; Fourth of July celebrations; Patriotic symbols; Automobiles;
Places: Portsmouth (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
 

Description: Portrait of an elderly man who is likely a Civil War veteran holding the hand of a little boy waving a United State flag, possibly taken at a 4th of July festivity. This photograph was taken by traveling photographer Albert J. Ewing, ca. 1896-1912. Like most of Ewing's work, it was likely taken in southeastern Ohio or central West Virginia. Born in 1870 in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta, Ewing most likely began his photography career in the 1890s. The 1910 US Census and a 1912-1913 directory list him as a photographer. A negative signed "Ewing Brothers" and a picture with his younger brother, Frank, indicate that Frank may have joined the business. After 1916, directories list Albert as a salesman. He died in 1934. The Ewing Collection consists of 5,055 glass plate negatives, each individually housed and numbered. Additionally, the collection includes approximately 450 modern contact prints made from the glass plate negatives. Subjects include infants and young children, elderly people, families, school and religious groups, animals and rural scenes. In 1982, the Ohio Historical Society received the collection, still housed in the original dry plate negative boxes purchased by Albert J. Ewing. A selection of the original glass plate negatives were exhibited for the first time in 2013 at the Ohio Historical Center. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06279
Subjects: Ewing, Albert J. (1870-1934); Portrait photography--United States--History; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865; Veterans; Fourth of July celebrations; Children
Places: Ohio; West Virginia
 

Description: This photograph shows a crowd of people in somewhat formal outfits gathering in a suburban park, carrying American flags, banners, lawn chairs, and signs. A wayfinding sign reads "SELBY PARK JULY 2-3 FUN" which may refer to Selby Park, Worthington, Ohio. The image was submitted by photographer George Wing in the Amateur category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. The photographer's city of origin is not listed. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B04F17_01_1
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Parks; Fourth of July celebrations;
Places: Worthington (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: A young girl wearing a stars-and-stripes dress and bonnet sits on a large Betsy Ross flag, which is draped over the facade of a brick colonial style house in Columbus, Ohio. Caption reads "Bicentennial July 4, 1976" and is signed with the photographer's name. The image was submitted by photographer Sonya Robbins of Columbus, Ohio, in the Amateur category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B04F11_01_1
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Fourth of July celebrations;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing fireworks during the Bicentennial fireworks celebration in Ashland, Ohio, July 4, 1976. The image was submitted by photographer Brian Roseborough of Ashland in the Amateur category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B02F130_01_01
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Fourth of July celebrations; Holidays; Fireworks
Places: Ashland (Ohio); Ashland County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing a young boy and girl at the Bicentennial parade in Ontario, Ohio, July 5, 1976. The image was submitted by photographer Brian Roseborough of Ashland in the Amateur category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B02F130_02_01
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Fourth of July celebrations; Parades; Children
Places: Ontario (Ohio); Richland County (Ohio)
 

Description: Two people look up at a man seated on the roof of a large garage, where "Happy Birthday America" has been written. The photograph was taken on July 4, 1976, during the "Birthday Party for America" in Vienna, Ohio. The image was submitted by photographer Patti Zydyk of Vienna in the Amateur category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B02F178_03_01
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Fourth of July celebrations; Flags
Places: Vienna (Ohio); Trumbull County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing three men and a woman, all in patriotic dress and holding flags, posed in a corn field. They wear hats that read "Slagle." The image was submitted by photographer Nelson Slagle of Huntington Beach, California, in the Amateur category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. Slagle provided the following caption: "Slide was taken July 4, 1976 at 1154 Columbus-Sandusky Road (Rt 98), Marion, Ohio the morning before the Slagle family (Emily, Jim, John, & Gene) rode in the Marion Bicentennial Parade. Gene Slagle was State Senator representing the 26th district. The slide projects the bicentennial spirit as it was taken on the nations 200th birthday in a bountiful field of corn and included campaign hats and American flags. The corn is much taller than July 4th knee high standard." In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B02F145_01_01
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Families; Flags; Corn; Agriculture; Ohio General Assembly Senate; Fourth of July celebrations;
Places: Marion (Ohio); Marion County (Ohio)
 

Description: Photograph showing a young boy from behind, walking on the sidewalk and holding onto a stroller that is just out of frame. He wears a hooded sweatshirt and shorts, and has an American flag sticking out of his back pocket. It was taken near South and High Streets in downtown Worthington, Ohio, on July 4, 1976, during the Worthington Community Independence Day parade. The image was submitted by photographer Greg Patton of Worthington, Ohio, in the Amateur category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B02F118_01_01
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Fourth of July celebrations; Children; Flags
Places: Worthington (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)