Independence Day, more commonly referred to as the Fourth of July, is a national holiday celebrating America's adoption of the Declaration of Independence on that day, and the subsequent break from England. The holiday is traditionally celebrated with fireworks, barbecues, patriotic pageantry, and screenings of such films as 1776. Patriotic icons such as George Washington, Uncle Sam, and the Statue of Liberty enjoy a resurgence during the holiday.
References[]
- A Sesame Street sketch under the American Revolution banner, re-enacts the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, historically recorded as having taken place on July 4, 1776.
- In The Muppet Show episode 517, Statler reveals that his favorite holiday is the Fourth of July, and that he's arranged for Hal Linden to perform a patriotic medley.
- In The Fantastic Miss Piggy Show, Miss Piggy appears in red, white, and blue and holding sparklers for the month of July.
- Independence Day was observed as Christmas #193 in the 1996 Sesame Street special Elmo Saves Christmas. Residents of Sesame Street decorate a Christmas tree with American flags while Bob and 14 Karat Soul unenthusiastically march down the street singing a variation of "It's Christmas Again."
- Henson.com once featured Sam the Eagle on its splash screen for July 4th, with a special holiday greeting.
- In 2006, Elmo and Hoots the Owl made guest appearances on A Capitol Fourth.
- The two page story "The Fourth of July Birthday Party" from the 1981 book Sesame Seasons features Biff explaining the holiday to Sully as being just another birthday party, only bigger. On the next page, the Count celebrates in a traditional manner by counting fireworks. As one of many spectacles, Grover Knover jumps barrels on the 4th.
- Calendars featuring 4th of July themes include the Sesame Street Calendar 1972 (a small mosaic re-enacting the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th), the 1982 Sesame Street Activity Calendar (a 4th of July Parade echoes The Spirit of '76), and the Miss Piggy Calendar 1980 (the Frog Scouts salute a flag-adorned Miss Piggy). While the July entry in the Sesame Street 1976 Calendar doesn't depict a holiday theme, the entire calendar is a bicentennial celebration of the first Independence Day.
- A 2008 online video entitled "Stars & Stripes FOREVER!" was posted on YouTube in time for the holiday and featured a typical Muppet rendition of the familiar Sousa march.
- A 2017 video begins with Sam the Eagle hoping to present an inspiring, patriotic and tasteful tribute honoring the United States, but he assumes the worst, until Janice, Floyd, and Walter perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" without a hitch. Sam is so touched that he runs off crying, Walter, Janice and Floyd assume he didn't like it. (YouTube)
- Sesame Street Episode 5034 celebrates the 4th of July with a party in the yard.