With the Fourth of July on Sunday, most businesses are closed on July 5th. (We hate to waste a good holiday.) What better way to celebrate the independence of the United States than by taking the day off from work and watching stuff blow up.
In colonial times, official proclamations were read from the Old State House balcony, looking down State Street towards Long Wharf.
Each July 4th, the Captain Commanding of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company reads the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Old State House. The reading of the Declaration of Independence dates back to July 18, 1776, when Colonel Thomas Crafts performed this duty for the first time.
In this image, USS Constitution Sailor of the Year, Navy Counselor 1st Class Paul Grunder (at mic) leads a crowd of thousands in the Pledge of Allegiance at the Old State House in Boston on the morning of July 4th, 2009. Also on the balcony assigned to Old Ironsides are Storekeeper 1st Class Benjamin Hanson (left) and Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Michael Pendergraft.
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