By Staff
CELEBRATING THE FOURTH n Area children celebrate the Fourth of July with Uncle Sam and Betsy Ross. They learned about out nation's history and got a chance to wave the flag. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star.
By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
July 4, 2001
Concord, Lexington, the Declaration of Independence, Washington crossing the Delaware indelible images in the minds of Americans that often surface as we celebrate Independence Day. But what do children think about the Fourth of July?
Ten children were interviewed at random this week with questions related to the birth of their country.
Most of the children knew Thomas Jefferson was a president of the United States. Most of them who had heard of Benjamin Franklin thought he was a president also. Other historic figures the children were asked about included Betsy Ross, Paul Revere and Crispus Attucks, but their significance was not known.
All of the children had heard of George Washington. Nine of them said he was a president of the United States. Six of them said he was the first president. Savannah Ward, age 6, simply said, "He's with the government."
Other responses went like this:
Savannah Ward, 6
What does the Fourth of July mean to you?
Do you know what we celebrate on the Fourth of July?
What do you like to do on the Fourth of July?
What do the stars and stripes on the American flag mean?
Kaitlin Jackson, 8
What does the Fourth of July mean to you?
What do the stars and stripes on the American flag mean?
Who was Betsy Ross?
Charlie Johnson, 10
What does the Fourth of July mean to you?
Do you know what we celebrate independence from?
How did our nation begin?
What do the stars and stripes on the American flag mean?
Who was Thomas Jefferson?
Who was Betsy Ross?
Who was Paul Revere?
Ashley Jolly, 10
What does the Fourth of July mean to you?
How did our nation begin?
What do the stars and stripes on the American flag mean?
Who was Thomas Jefferson?
Alan Michael, 10
What does the Fourth of July mean to you?
What do you like to do on the Fourth of July?
Who was Benjamin Franklin?
Justin Roberts, 10
What does the Fourth of July mean to you?
Do you know what we celebrate on the Fourth of July?
What was the Boston Tea Party?
Do you know why?
Why were they mad?
How did our nation begin?
Do you know how we became free from them?
What do the stars and stripes on the American flag mean?
Brette Bullock, 11
What does the Fourth of July mean to you?
What do you celebrate?
Who was Thomas Jefferson?
Who was Benjamin Franklin?
Tyasia McCoy, 11
What does the Fourth of July mean to you?
What are you celebrating?
What do you like to do on the Fourth of July?
What do the stars and stripes on the American flag mean?
What part represents peace?
Juanita McCoy, 12
What does the Fourth of July mean to you?
Do you know what we celebrate on the Fourth of July?
Do you know from what country? "No."
Who was Benjamin Franklin?
Heather Quinn, 12
What does the Fourth of July mean to you?
What do you like to do on the Fourth of July?
What do the stars and stripes on the American flag mean?
Who was Thomas Jefferson?
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.