Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Fireworks Commemorate Defense Of The Republic
CELEBRATING AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE AND ORIGIN OF NATIONAL ANTHEM
Americans of varying backgrounds and all age groups roared their approval as the nation celebrated Independence Day with dazzling fireworks displays seen locally at Prairie Grove July 1 and Farmington July 4.
Farmington held their annual Freedomfest on the Fourth of July with a fireworks show at the football field.
Citizens exercised the Right to Peaceably Assemble granted in the United States Constitution clustered in throngs around Prairie Grove Aquatic Park, which hosted Prairie Grove’s fifth annual Celebrate Prairie Grove event, 7-10 p.m. July 1. The pool was open all day and became free to the public at 7 p.m. drawing a large crowd of swimmers, waders and onlookers. Prairie Grove Police Capt. Jeff O’Brien said the number was 1,930 people as of 8:15 p.m. A half hour later the gate had counted 2,015 people and the numbers were still increasing.
Prairie Grove rolled out the red carpet showcasing their community spirit. A lengthy line of people stood waiting their turn to taste hot dogs and drinks provided free of charge. The demand exceeded the supply and all the food had been served by 8:20 p.m.
Inflatable bouncy houses were set up and children took full advantage enjoying every opportunity to express freedom of speech expressed in somersaults, tumbles and cartwheels.
The family-friendly evening culminated with a fireworks display provided by Stan Cook, of Prairie Grove, who celebrates his birthday along with America’s birthday on July 4.
He was the right man for the job, expertly combining his personal show and the city’s fireworks display into a grand patriotic display and raising a substantial cloud of smoke over a pasture directly south of the aquatic park where the fireworks were set off.
The fireworks gave the smoke cloud a luminous quality reminiscent of Francis Scott Key penning the Star Spangled Banner on board a British naval vessel during the bombardment of Fort McHenry.
The War of 1812 was a dark time for the fledging Republic.
The British landed a large force of 4,000 troops and routed an American force leaving the path to Washington D.C. undefended. On Aug. 24, 1814, a British force led by Major General Robert Ross occupied Washington for 26 hours. They mocked the Republic by voting to burn Washington and set fire to many public buildings, including the White House, formerly known as the Presidential Mansion, and the U.S. Capitol building, as well as other government buildings.
They didn’t all get back to their ships. A massive thunderstorm put out the fires started by the British in Washington and rained down hailstones on the invaders, many of whom were killed by a tornado that lifted two cannons before smashing them back down among the British. The storm labeled a hurricane by some seriously damaged the British fleet.
The British then tried and failed to take Baltimore first by land and then from their ships attacking Fort McHenry. This campaign lasted from Sept. 12-15, 1814, about three weeks after the burning and looting of Washington. On the morning of Sept. 14, Key, who had rowed out to secure the release of an American citizen taken hostage during the invasion of Washington, saw an enormous American flag raised above Fort McHenry and wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner.
Three months later, the British attempted another invasion in an effort to capture New Orleans as a gateway to the vast territory the United States had acquired from France with the Louisiana Purchase. They were again repulsed during the Battle of New Orleans fought between Dec. 14, 1814, and Jan. 18, 1815, when the British withdrew. Their last invasion effort was directed at Mobile, Ala., in February of 1815 before combat ended.