Celebrating the 4th a little early

Today I am joining Joan @ Anything Goes Here to Celebrate the 4th of July with a Vintage Holiday Blog Party. Of course the 4th of July celebration marks the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a powerful and masterful document eloquently composed by Thomas Jefferson. It is a time to show our patriotic spirit and pride of this great country. U.S. History especially Colonial Times through the Federalist period, is my favorite time period to study. As you will recall, I have my degree in History, with a minor in Art History. If allowed, I would ramble on about the history of each of the signers of the Declaration, the events that followed the closing of the Continental Congress, but I shall show great restraint, and instead showcase a few things I found that are related to the time period of the Revolutionary War and its principle figures.


George Washington's Breakfast published in 1969, is the story of a young boy and his quest to find out what George Washington ate for breakfast. Now this book appealed to me as a child because the boy actually researches his question through the use of the library and ultimately the Smithsonian. I too as a child showed a passion for history, not so important about the dates but more the why and how things took place. Yes I did this, even at the young age of ten, when I studied everything I could about the Revolutionary War. No wonder I loved this little book. By the way, George Washington ate hoecakes, cornmeal cakes that would have originally been made on the back side of a hoe, and now in an iron skillet. He liked his hoecakes with tea. Hmmmm Tea, isn't that what started the War?

I found this framed book/magazine page some time ago. I was interested in only the frame and the piece of cardboard on the back of the frame, a panel from a chocolate box with amazing graphics from the 50's, but for the moment have kept everything intact. The page displays the Jefferson Memorial (from Architect's Design) with a quote from the Declaration.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."


No this is not a medal belonging to a Revolutionary War hero, but it is Vintage. I received this award in 1977 for outstanding excellence in U.S. History from the D.A.R, Daughters of the American Revolution. 1977 High School student, boy do I feel old.

I found these adorable cloth flags this weekend at a lawnsale and thought they looked good with my ironstone collection. Some of my pieces (not shown) do date back to the late 1700's.

A Johnson Brothers plate showcasing the home of Betsy Ross.

A Johnson Brothers plate showcasing Philadelphia Hall, where 13 British Colonies became the beginning of the United States of America.

We just celebrated Memorial Day in remembrance of the fallen heroes of Two Great Wars, that were suppose to be the last of the wars, to end all wars. Unfortunately, there are too many wars that have followed, including our recent war, the war on Terrorism. Each life that has been lost in service to our Country should be and needs to be remembered. It all began in 1775 with the men and women at Lexington and Concord sacrificing family, homes and lives for our Freedom and Rights that we so fortunately and with great privilege share today. Happy 4th of July!

Got it at Goodwill
Sherrie