Traces the social history behind America's celebration of Independence Day and explains the background of such national symbols as the flag, the bald eagle, the Liberty Bell, and Uncle Sam.

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A multicultural celebration of July 4th, Lee Wardlaw and Huy Voun Lee's Red, White, and Boom! Fireflies flit Sparklers spit Pinwheels spin Goosebump skin It's the Fourth of July! Travel across the country for a city parade, a beach picnic, and fireworks in the park in this poetic celebration of the many cultures and traditions that make America's birthday BOOM!

It's the most patriotic of all holidays-Independence Day! The Holiday Mice take part in all the activities that make the Fourth of July fun: a parade, a picnic, a baseball game and sack race, and a refreshing dip in the stream. Even Mr. Mouse, the littlest mouse's special toy, joins in the festivities. The best part of all comes at the end of the day: a spectacular fireworks show! Packed with plenty of red, white, and blue and featuring the four Holiday Mice at their most adorable, this story about our nation's birthday will delight readers young and old alike.

What causes our breathtaking excitement when fireworks burst above us? Why do we "see fireworks" when we fall deeply in romantic love? Why are fireworks and explosions the most apt metaphor for passion of any kind? Lynn McLain, a daughter of Dr. Joseph H. McLain, who designed and manufactured fireworks and worked on safety standards for decades, poses those questions -- and answers many others in this compact book that celebrates all that fireworks have to offer. The book includes colorful reproductions of rare images alongside intriguing historical and cultural fireworks trivia questions and answers. All royalties from its sale will be donated to the installation of an unprecedented, fireworks-inspired, computer-programmable, permanent light sculpture at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland in honor of Dr. John A. Conkling and in memory of the author's father, both of whom made great contributions to the science and safety of fireworks.

"Fireworks, picnics, flags, and parades should remind Americans young and old of perhaps the most famous national holiday. Independence Day, also called the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday. While most know that the observance is a celebration of the nation, they might not know what happened on July 4 in 1776 and why this is a now famous date. This beautifully designed book, beneficial to any social studies collection, presents the history of this holiday in 20 of the most fun, intriguing facts. Budding historians will appreciate the high-interest format and accessible text"--