George Washington Archives - The I Spy Radio Show

14-26 Annual July 4th Show | How Presidents Celebrated July Fourth

By Dr Mark | June 29, 2024 | Comments 0 Comment

Show 14-26 Summary: It’s our annual 4th of July show! With our annual guest, amateur historian Greg Leo. This year our main focus is on how Presidents celebrated July Fourth down through the years. One didn’t. And one president may have died because of his Independence Day celebrations. And be sure to tune in to hear about one of history’s largest bar tabs. Because our founding fathers definitely knew how to celebrate freedom. As always, there’s always lots more to discuss—including the big 250th anniversary coming up in 2026, just two short years away.

I Spy Radio Coverage Map as of April 2024 — Current I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size map.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, six different times, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on out network of stations.

Original Air Dates: June 29th & 30th, 2024 | Guest: Greg Leo

This Week – How Presidents Celebrated July Fourth

It’s our annual Fourth of July show! Down through the years we have look at the history of Independence Day, how it’s been celebrated and the traditions that have come down to us even from those early celebrations. We’ve looked at July 4th on the Oregon trail. We’ve examined the Declaration of Independence itself and the rights and grievances lodged against the king. We’ve looked at the signers of the declaration. And two years ago we took an in-depth look at George Washington who was so very central to America’s independence.

But it’s not always been easy. And there have been celebrations even in dark, turbulent times in American history. Like the Civil War. And the first 50 years, because there was a lot of doubt America would even make it that far.

This year, being a presidential election year, we’re looking at how presidents celebrated Independence Day.

Want more? Because there’s always so much to talk about we feel like we only scratched the surface. so if you’d like to find out more about how presidents celebrated Independence Day, be sure to check links and information section below.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. Mondays, after our network of radio stations have aired the show, I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite podcasting platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Greg Leo is a public affairs consultant, working with governments, tribes, businesses, and individuals. If you need help in that area, contact him via greg@TheLeoCompany.com

How Presidents have Celebrated Independence Day

Here’s a look at how American presidents have celebrated July 4th, including Zachary Taylor’s maybe fatal food poisoning (Fortune, July 4, 2023)
Similar to the above, but an expanded list: What did the presidents do on July Fourth? (U.S. National Park Service)
Really good: The History of White House July Fourth Celebrations Is Really Weird – (Washingtonian, July 1, 2020)
Also quite good: The Earliest July 4 Celebrations · George Washington’s Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon Foundation)
From the Archives: A Fourth of July with the Presidents (whitehouse.gov, July 3, 2012)
How Do US Presidents Spend the Fourth of July? (Voice of America, July 3, 2023)
Fourth of July at the White House (White House History)
Includes the story of Zachary Taylor’s death: The Colorful, Sometimes Odd Ways America Celebrates the Fourth of July (Coffee or Die, July 1, 2023)
When Zachary Taylor wolfed down apparently spoiled cherries and milk—and died five days later (via Clinton White House Archives)
- Zachary Taylor Funeral (via Whitehousehistory.org)
Teddy Roosevelt’s July Fourth speech: “I Like Big Things” (Theodore Roosevelt Center, July 3, 2012)

America at 250: The 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence

The Semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence will be here before you know it. Check out America250.org
250th Commemoration: U.S. National Park Service Commemorations and Celebrations

Mentioned/Related/Additional Fourth of July Links

July 4th Then and Now: Are we celebrating Independence Day as the Founding Fathers once did? (Taylor Research Group, July 3, 2020)
10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Fourth of July (Mental Floss, Jun 12, 2024)
A Toppled Statue of George III Illuminates the Ongoing Debate Over America’s Monuments (Smithsonian Magazine, January 28, 2022)
Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 (via The National Archives)

Annual Fourth of July Show: The Hand of Providence on George Washington

12-26 Fourth of July – George Washington and the Incredible Hand of Providence

By Dr Mark | June 25, 2022 | Comments 1 comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Show Summary: It’s that time of year again: it’s our annual Fourth of July celebration. This year, we are looking back at the Guy, George Washington who got us through the war. Let’s face it. If we hadn’t won the war, the Declaration would have been just an interesting but failed experiment; a side note in history. This week, it’s a fascinating look at a man who was truly born for his time, and had the eternal Hand of Providence on him so many times that his life and what he accomplished was truly a miracle.

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of June 2021 — Current I Spy Radio broadcast areas. Click for full-size map.

The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, six different times, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on out network of stations.

Original Air Dates: June 25, 2022 | Guest: Greg Leo

This Week – Our 12th Annual Fourth of July Show

How has it been 12 years already? Time flies when you’re keeping an eye on big government I guess, but every year we focus on the Fourth of July and events around it that make the founding of this great country so unique and special.

Previously, we’ve focused on such things as celebrating the Fourth down through History, what those early celebrations looked like. The Declaration of Independence itself, the rights and grievances listed therein. Celebrating the Fourth on the Oregon Trail, the Fourth of July during the Civil War, the first 50 years, major anniversaries, and others. And last year’s focus on the some of the signers of the Declaration (and its predecessor petition).

Looking for something fun and unique to do this Fourth? Celebrate an old fashioned Independence Day at the Newell House at historic Champoeg Park, the birthplace of Oregon. This free event includes a patriotic program with music, food, and a home-baked pie contest and auction.

George Washington

But for this year’s Fourth of July show, we are focusing on the guy. George Washington. The guy who won the war and without whom America might never have existed. Except for a brief, failed attempt at freedom. Squashed by a ruthless king.

We look at his early years, his rural upbringing that often left him feeling inadequate in high society, his involvement in the French and Indian War—which made him a celebrity on both sides of the Atlantic—and the continual Hand of Providence on his life that saved him time and again.

And, naturally, we look at his Revolutionary War accomplishments. His defeats and his victories. And how he persevered through both. We look at his personal struggles too, including getting through the deep betrayal of Benedict Arnold, which Washington blamed himself for and nearly quit.

Tune in to hear about America’s quintessential hero. The man for his time. And a man even King George III came to admire.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. The I Spy Radio Show is now available on your favorite platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

We have lots of information for you on George Washington! Be sure especially to check out the Mount Vernon and the Washington Papers sites. But, really, these are all fantastic.

General George Washington Links (as in “general”)

Great resource for all things Washington: mountvernon.org
A Timeline of his Life (via History.com)
George Washington’s Rise to Rebellion – American Battlefield Trust (via battlefields.org)
President Washington Facts and Timeline (via The History Junkie)
How Washington Saved the American Revolution (via History Collection)
Chronology – George Washington: A National Treasure (via si.edu)
[Entirely Speculative] Timeline: If George Washington died in the American Revolution (via alt history.fandom.com)
The Federalist Party Facts, History, and Influence (via History Junkie)
The Father of the Nation (via American Battlefield Trust)

George Washington – French and Indian War

Washington: The Soldier Through the French and Indian War (via US History.org)
George Washington’s forays into the Ohio country shaped his career and sparked a global war (via Mount Vernon)
Excellent summation about Washington’s involvement in French and Indian War (via Mount Vernon)

George Washington: Revolutionary War

Super cool! Washington’s Revolutionary War Itinerary (via the Washington Papers)
List of Revolutionary War Battles George Washington was at (via Mount Vernon)*While there were over 230 skirmishes and battles fought during the American Revolution, these are the battles General Washington was present for.
Washington wins first major US victory at Trenton (via History.com)
Washington Biography: Victory, Defeat, Misery, Stalemate: the Early War Years (via SparkNotes)
Revolutionary War Battles (via Mount Vernon)
General George Washington led the American army to victory during the Revolutionary War (via Mount Vernon)
Appointment as Commander in Chief (via Mount Vernon)
As Commander in Chief (via Thimbles and Acorns)
Another perspective on Washington as the Commander in Chief (via US History.com)
George Washington’s Final Command (via Boundary Stones)
- Did you know Washington was recruited one last time by President Adams to be commander-in-chief?

Timelines for George Washington

Timeline of General Washington in the American Revolution (via Mount Vernon)
Washington: An Interactive Timeline of His Life (via History.com)
Timeline of Life & Accomplishments (via Biography via YourDictionary.com)
Timeline (via Britannica.com – keep in mind, this is a UK based-resource)
Timeline (via the Washington Papers)
Very well done: Timeline of the American Revolution (via US National Park Service)
George Washington: Timeline (via Drexel.edu)
Historical Timeline up to and Including the Revolution (via American Revolution Museum)

Facts Lists for George Washington

Key Facts About George Washington (via Mount Vernon)
George Washington’s Surveying Career (via Mount Vernon)
Top 10 Facts about George Washington (via TheTopTens)
5 Facts About George Washington (via Colonial Williamsburg)
10 Facts About George Washington (via ThoughtCo.com)
11 Little-Known Facts About George Washington (via History.com)
Four Uplifting Facts About the Personality of George Washington (by Lioness Rue at Medium.com)
11 Surprising Facts About George Washington You Never Learned In School (via Reader’s Digest)
27 Facts That Paint America’s First President In A New Light (All That’s Interesting)
- Some myths and more: cherry trees, wooden teeth, but true facts too
47 Interesting Facts About George Washington That You Should Know (via The Fact File)
10 Things You Really Ought to Know about George Washington (via Mount Vernon)
- Like that he was mostly self-educated, fearless in battle, was the first to sign the Constitution, and more
10 Major Accomplishments of George Washington (Learnodo-Newtonic.com)
- accomplishments in a nutshell, French and Indian War, and Washington’s accomplishments in the Revolution
George Washington (via Britannica)