A false alarm on the fourth
Subject(s): Alaska, Firecrackers, Fourth of July, Hawaii, Holidays, International relations, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Texas, Uncle Sam (Symbolic character), United States
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Uncle Sam, holding a firecracker, tries to reassure a concerned-looking female figure with wings labeled “Peace” that all the noise she hears is for the celebration of the Fourth of July. Celebrating with Uncle Sam are several figures labeled “Alaska, New York, Texas, Mass., Hawaii, Porto Rico, North, South.” One disgruntled figure labeled “Philippine” is climbing over a wall. An African American is sitting near Uncle Sam. Some are lighting strings of firecrackers, “Texas” is shooting guns, and “Mass.” is firing a cannon in celebration. The “Philippine” climbs over a wall, the only disgruntled child in the group. The U.S. Capitol building is in the background and a dove with olive branch hovers over the figure of “Peace.” Caption: Uncle Sam–It’s all right! There’s no fighting! The noise you hear is just my family celebrating!
Comments and Context
Since the founding of the United States, its enlargement and expansion of territories was relatively gradual and organic. Texas, Alaska, and even the recent annexation of Hawaii were slow-paced compared to the “population explosion” depicted by Keppler in this cartoon. Puck Magazine consistently approved.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1902-07-02
Creator(s)
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
A false alarm on the fourth. [July 2, 1902]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276242. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956. A false alarm on the fourth. [2 Jul. 1902]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. April 2, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276242.
APA:
Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956., [1902, July 2]. A false alarm on the fourth.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o276242.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. April 2, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
