The flag at Devils Lake Cars’ Marketplace Ford on US Highway 2 West is flying at half staff in this file photo from the DLJ archives. The current version of the flag, shown here, is the 27th iteration of the American flag. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the current version of the flag officially became the flag on July 4, 1960.
Devils Lake has a long history of celebrating Independence Day and this year’s Fourth of July will be on par with celebrations of the past, according to Devils Lake’s Mayor Jim Moe.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. from the staging area at Prairie View Elementary School, 200 12th Ave. NE, turns west at the former KDLR offices and proceeds down “Main Street,” 4th Street NE, through the historical downtown Devils Lake district.
The parade ends at Roosevelt Park where the Devils Lake Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club and the Rural Fire Department present a picnic lunch (for a free will donation) in the new Pavillion – event center in the heart of the park. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this meal dining either indoors, in the Pavillion, or under the shady trees of the city’s oldest park.
At dusk the city’s official fireworks display is presented at Ruger Park.
Interesting facts
Americans celebrate Independence Day every July 4. The holiday has become synonymous with summer fun, as grand fireworks displays and backyard barbecues are integral components of many people’s July 4 celebrations.
As Americans and residents of the United States prepare for some festive Fourth of July celebrations, they can keep these interesting facts related to Independence Day in mind.
· There have been many iterations of the American flag. The American flag has become an iconic symbol of freedom recognized across the globe since the United States declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776. But few July 4 celebrants may know that the current version is the 27th iteration of the American flag. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the current version of the flag officially became the flag on July 4, 1960.
· More than half of all Americans own an American flag. A 2023 poll from WalletHub found that 57 percent of Americans own an American flag. And that’s not the only way Americans show their national pride, as the same poll found that roughly one in three Americans intended to purchase patriotic merchandise for July 4.
· The United States is not the only place to celebrate American independence. Such celebrations occur in various countries, including Australia, Denmark, Ireland, and Norway. The festivities in Rebild National Park in Denmark is believed to be the largest celebration of American independence outside the United States.
· The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates that 150 million hot dogs are consumed on July 4. Though there’s no corresponding estimate related to how many hamburgers Americans eat on July 4, various reports suggest Americans eat roughly 50 billion burgers annually, so it’s fair to conclude many a burger will be consumed this Independence Day.
· July is a popular month for nations to celebrate their independence. In addition to the United States, various countries, including Algeria (July 5), Argentina (July 9), The Bahamas (July 10), Belarus (July 3), Burundi (July 1), Canada (July 1), Cape Verde (July 1), Colombia (July 20), Kiribati (July 12), and Liberia (July 26), celebrate their Independence Day in July.
· John Adams, a Founding Father of the United States and the second president in the country’s history, felt Americans should celebrate their independence from Great Britain on July 2. That’s because the Continential Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776. However, the Declaration of Independence was not approved for two more days, thus making July 4 the day to celebrate America’s independence from Great Britain.
The above facts have been provided by Metro.
