Fourth of July

Theodore Roosevelt and his friends set off large numbers of fireworks over the Fourth of July and they all have some burns. Corinne Roosevelt had an asthma attack but has recovered. Roosevelt is now permitted to stay in the water as long as he likes but he was almost drowned the other day after being caught under water. He is studying English, French, German, and Latin. (Date on original letter appears to be July 7, though this transcription bears the date July 9, 1872.)

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1872-07-09

A young boy sits on the ground, leaning against a tree, asleep. Around him are clusters of fireworks waiting to be ignited.

comments and context

Comments and Context

A boy’s dream (as would have been specified in the Old Days) on the Fourth of July. Napping in a little country spot on the Fourth, as per the magazine’s issue date above his head, flowers have turned to pinwheels, Roman candles, and other fireworks.

A bald eagle, bruised and battered, stands on a pile of spent fireworks, following the celebration of the Fourth of July.

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Comments and Context

Modern readers might be tempted to see incipient regrets over an Independence Day celebration by the iconic American symbol. But the wan smile reflects the dangers of handling fireworks (perennial warning cartoons that were ubiquitous in magazines of the day), and not a criticism by cartoonist Keppler of the new American Century in any way.

A crowd of people celebrate a spinning fireworks display showing the head of Uncle Sam at center.

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Comments and Context

For Puck‘s celebratory holiday issue, July 4th, 1905, cartoonist Frank Nankivell, born in Australia, was given the task of creating a poster-like cover. The United States was at peace, was prospering economically, and had just re-elected a popular president whose exuberant optimism mirrored the nation’s own. It is interesting to note that, among the silhouetted hats on the crowd in the foreground, the most prominent is an army hat reminiscent of Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Rider hat.

Photograph of the 4th of July parade in the town of Medora, North Dakota, near the Rough Rider Hotel. Two park rangers on horseback lead the parade.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1966-07-04

An eagle stands on the “U.S.A.” portion of a globe with its wings extending from “Porto Rico” and “Panama” on the right to the “Philippines” on the left. Caption: “Gee, but this is an awful stretch!”

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Comments and Context

Cartoonist Joseph Keppler Junior and his magazine tempered their previous week’s Fourth of July fireworks-popping celebration with this graphic representation of the American eagle’s new role in the world. Puck was soundly jingoistic before and during the Spanish-American War; during the foundations of imperial policymaking; and in support of the acquisition of the Canal Zone in Panama.

Two female drummers play while a young woman bursts from a firecracker. The title “Puck” is formed from firecrackers.

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Comments and Context

In 1904, the United States was in the midst of its first blush as an expansionist, innovative, prosperous nation, with the previous years’ depression, war, assassination, and labor strife behind it. Automobiles, airplanes, electrification, and motion pictures reflected a vitality in daily life, which in turn, was manifested by the exuberance of America’s popular president, Theodore Roosevelt.

A crowd of people wearing colonial dress gather around an old man who is firing off a cannon during the Fourth of July celebration, 1903.

comments and context

Comments and Context

In the first years of the new century, Puck subtly devoted less space and editorial attention to partisan politics, and more to humorous images, decorative covers, and social topics. The magazine was a full decade away from sublimating politics in a major fashion, and that decision might have been motivated by the disinclination to offend roughly have of its potential readership… but in any event the humorous and decorative artwork, and non-political themes, were asserting themselves on Puck‘s covers especially.

Uncle Sam hugs a youthful John Bull, with firecrackers on both sides and a remarque below showing a Revolutionary War soldier sending the British and the British Lion back to England.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902-07-02

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

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.

Independence Day fireworks spell out the word “Freedom” above an eagle forming the great seal of the United States hovering over a bird nest with four chicks labeled “Philippines, Cuba, Hawaii, [and] Porto Rico.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-07-03

The Theodore Roosevelt Centennial Commission promotes Independence Day celebrations for 1958.

Collection

Dickinson State University

Creation Date

1958

President Roosevelt has given up making prophecies about the outcome of political contests, especially those in which he is a candidate. Roosevelt is pleased that John Morley will come and stay after the election. The Roosevelts also just finished celebrating an old-fashioned 4th of July.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-05

E. W. Stahl asks Theodore Roosevelt for a few lines concerning patriotism for a young people’s service at his Methodist Church on the Sunday before the Fourth of July. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-06-14

Henry M. Eaton of the Philadelphia Press wishes to print brief Independence Day sentiments on the Fourth of July, and requests one from Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-31

Frederic Gregory Mather, treasurer of the American Canoe Association, writes to William Loeb regarding President Roosevelt’s honorary membership acceptance to the Association. Mather also mentions that he can see Roosevelt’s Oyster Bay home from his house and that he enjoyed their belated Fourth of July fireworks.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-01-17

Governor Odell tells President Roosevelt he would be happy to visit Oyster Bay, New York, for the Fourth of July and asks which day it would be best for him to arrive.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-02

Winthrop Chanler congratulates President Roosevelt on winning the presidential nomination and shares his opinion of Elihu Root’s and Frank Swett Black’s speeches. Chanler wishes he and Roosevelt could spend the 4th of July together and remembers past celebrations.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-06-25

This excerpt from C. E. Perkins’s Ode for the Fourth of July discusses how life in America has changed since George Washington with political bosses and industrial trusts. The ode closes with praise for President Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905

President Roosevelt sets off a number of fireworks and cannons as a Republican elephant carries a cannon on its back. A “Democratic party” woman looks startled as she holds an American flag and a “safe and sane” balloon.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-04