The Fourth of July weekend is a perfect time to spend with friends and family, especially when you can mix in a little history and entertainment. I thought it might be helpful to round up a few good lists out there to make eating and entertaining fun and easy. There’s a special list of quotes at the end, to include a little history lesson, too.
MOVIES & TV
Not all the suggested movies are for everyone, and not all cover history, but many on the lists offer something that’s just simply American. (A few are from prior 4th of July holidays, but the recommendations still apply).
Boston.com offers a list of movies that capture the American Spirit.
Celebrate July Fourth with patriotic movies
Forbes offers an interesting mix of the Top Ten Movies For The Fourth Of July.
And the Hollywood Reporter’s got a list of all the 4th of July Fireworks specials on TV in its Complete Guide to TV, Marathons and Movies.
I’d also personally recommend the John Adams miniseries if you haven’t seen it. Watch it on-demand:
On Amazon Instant Video
On Xfinity
On HBO Go
FOOD
Food Network’s Favorite 4th of July Recipes From FN Chefs
If all you need is the BBQ sauce, they’ve also got some of those recipes.
Southern Living has a nice roundup of Fourth of July Recipes.
For barbecue with a little twist, Delish has this list of All-American Barbecue: 14 Regional Recipes for July 4th
Grilling Companion has some yummy grilling recipes I’ve tried myself from time to time.
DRINKS
Mix That Drink has a crafty list of 4th of July cocktails.
Yahoo’s got some patriotic drink mixers for the holiday.
For non-alcoholic options, Delish has a summer list of 25 Non-alcoholic Party Drinks that fit the bill for today.
Lastly, while you’ve got the crew gathered together, spend a little time to reflect upon what Independence Day is all about. Here’s a nice compilation of Revolutionary War quotes to share and discuss.
Enjoy your Fourth of July and the long weekend – however you choose to enjoy it, stay safe!
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Comments
We’ve already cracked open a couple of Two If By Tea beverages….
There’s also a nice article from Cooking Light about the beverage of choice for those who pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.
God Bless America!
Burgers/Dogs with fixin’s garden fresh corn and tomatoes, fresh picked blueberry cobbler and ice cream.
Just saw Grand Bay Alabama watermelons for sale at the corner. I’ll get one for the weekend as there is no room in fridge.
Did you hand crank the ice cream? Yeah, me neither…
I picked the blueberries, isn’t that enough?
Ball Park Franks over Kingsford Charcoal. Two Hearted Ale from
http://bellsbeer.com/
Xanax for the dog.
Don’t forget Coolidge’s speech on the 150th Anniversary of the signing (text): http://po.st/Xo0361
He was also the 1st President to appear in a “talkie” video: http://youtu.be/5puwTrLRhmw
*sigh* I heart Calvin!
I’ve never read that Coolidge speech before. It started off slow so I almost did not stay with it. Glad I persevered. Really good stuff.
I recommend watching National Treasure because of this bit of dialogue:
Ben Gates (looking at the Declaration of Independence): Of all the words written here about freedom, there’s a line here that’s at the heart of all the others. “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty to throw off such government and provide new guards for their future security.” People don’t talk that way anymore. Beautiful, huh?
Riley Poole: No idea what you said.
Ben Gates: It means, if there’s something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcZK2CF3mZ8
Excellent selection Kitty.
For drinks? Definitely Feckin Irish Whiskey. It’s Feckin good.
A most excellent collection of links that I’ve bookmarked. Thanks!