July 4th Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

WATCH: Frederick Douglass’ Descendants Deliver His ‘Fourth Of July’ Speech

By NPR News July 4, 2020

Descendants of Frederick Douglass give his July 4 speech

In this short film, five young descendants of Frederick Douglass read and respond to excerpts of his famous speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" which asks all of us to consider America's long history of denying equal rights to Black Americans.Read More

Planning To Celebrate The 4th? What To Know About The Risks Of Parties And Bars

By NPR News July 3, 2020

With new coronavirus infections climbing in most states, infectious disease experts are discouraging group get-togethers, especially those that involve drinking. In this photo patrons enjoy a beer outside the Central Market in Los Angeles, this week. CREDIT: Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Alcohol makes people lose inhibitions. And maybe take off their masks, and get up close and personal. Here's why you may want to reconsider going out this weekend. Or how to stay safe if you do. Read More

Northwest Coastal Beach Communities Bracing For July 4th Revelers … And Their Trash

By Tom Banse July 1, 2020

On July 5, 2019, volunteers on the Long Beach Peninsula collected approximately 16 tons of trash left behind by Independence Day revelers.

A favorable weather forecast and the Fourth of July falling on a weekend has beach communities in the Pacific Northwest bracing for an onslaught despite the ongoing pandemic. Two beach towns that tend to be holiday crowd magnets are particularly in the limelight this year.Read More

5 Ways To Avoid Food Poisoning From Your Summer Barbecue

By PBS Newshour July 5, 2019

You can still enjoy a pink hamburger, but a thermometer is your best ally on the grill and in the kitchen. Photo via Adobe Stock Images.

As many as 50 million Americans annually suffer from food poisoning after eating something that wasn’t handled or cooked properly. Among those, about 130,000 people are hospitalized, and 3,000 people die from foodborne illnesses. Though the problem may seem unpredictable, it’s entirely preventable. Read More

A Reading Of The Declaration Of Independence: NPR’s July 4 Tradition

By NPR News July 4, 2019

A painting titled Declaration of Independence hangs on the wall inside the U.S. Capitol on May 17, 2017. CREDIT: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Church bells rang out over Philadelphia 243 years ago today as the Continental Congress adopted this draft of the Declaration of Independence. In 1989, Morning Edition launched what has become an Independence Day tradition: hosts, reporters, newscasters and commentators reading the Declaration of Independence.Read More

Fireworks Are Part Of July 4th — And So Are Injuries. A Simple Way To Avoid Them Is…

By Carolyn Adolph July 2, 2019

File photo. CREDIT: Flickr CC / Epic Fireworks

The Washington State Patrol says injuries happen because people are holding them or standing over them when the fireworks go off. It sounds obvious, but the likely reason is people aren’t sure what to expect and when. The solution, says the state patrol, is to read the instructions for each firework before you go out in the dark.Read More