I was casting about for topics to write about for Monday, June 29, and thought about writing something for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, which will be the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In doing so, I was trying to figure out exactly what a 250th anniversary is called. According to Google, some terms include “semiquincentennial,” “sestercentennial,” “quarter-millennium,” and “bisesquincentennial.” They all sound like a mouthful to me. Being of a precise nature (at least about some things), I wanted to know which was the “official” term, and turned to my beloved Oxford English Dictionary, only to learn that the OED does not include any of these terms among its definitions.
So now I’m stuck trying to decide what to call the upcoming anniversary. “Quarter-millennium” sounds a bit too grand for my taste, and both “semiquincentennial” and “bisesquincentennial” are too long. To be honest, “sestercentennial” isn’t much better, but it is at least a little shorter. So “sestercentennial” it is. And how will I celebrate the upcoming holiday?
My mother, sisters and I all live in different parts of Alabama. We rarely plan activities together for the Fourth of July, and the one time we did was a disaster. But every year, we all watch “A Capitol Fourth” on PBS, including the fireworks show afterward. The only time the show ever disappointed me was the year I learned that Jack Everly, the conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, was not formerly a member of the Everly Brothers, a popular music group in the 50s and 60s. That’s my own fault, not the fault either of the show or Mr. Everly. If you think watching fireworks on television is tame when compared to the real thing, doing anything outdoors in Alabama in July is something that you do only from necessity, not for pleasure. Humidity down here abates for no man (or woman.)
It’s not particularly logical to feel closer to someone simply because you know that they are watching the same thing on television at the same time that you are, but that’s how it works in my family. We have a good time in the days following the show discussing it with each other over the phone. I have a similar feeling over Thanksgiving if I happen to be watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The same is NOT true for the Iron Bowl (the annual football game between Auburn University and the University of Alabama.) I feel close to those members of the family who are also Auburn fans, but not the Alabama contingent. They’re rooting against my team, after all. We make up after the game is over though, win or lose.
Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing at the time, I hope you enjoy your Fourth of July holiday as well. I’ll be thinking of you while I’m watching my show in my air-conditioned room.
My family members will simultaneously watch an event on television, especially if England is playing in a game. They also will wear their England jerseys. Note that PBS will be showing the fireworks from Williamsburg, Virginia on July 4th.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteHow about just calling it the 250th anniversary?
ReplyDeleteI will attend a picnic with some family, catch a small local parade, and watch fireworks, which I can see from my window, sitting in my own comfy recliner.
That sounds like fun!
DeletePBS is broadcasting their annual DC Fourth concert on July 3rd. We always watch it so I can get my blasting canons and 1812 overture fix for the year. Then we head to the village fireworks at 10pm because, at the far western end of the eastern time zone, it doesn't get dark till 10pm.
ReplyDeleteThey will be broadcasting the fireworks in Williamsburg on July 4.
DeleteI'm not sure I can stay up later than 10:00 p.m. any more.
DeleteFor many years, I went to the Boston Pops Fourth of July concert in person. They were the first orchestra to incorporate the 1812 overture with nearby church bells and actual cannons in the concert.
ReplyDeleteIt was so popular that other orchestras started doing it and, since it was televised nationally, many people in other parts of the country saw it and came to Boston for the concert.
I stopped going when it became so popular that it was just too crowded for me and many of the people were only there for the fireworks and didn’t really care about listening to the musicand I watched it on tv. I live close enough that I can hear the sound of the fireworks.
Now it is harder to find it being televised because there are other networks that have taken over the broadcast and the local stations are no longer involved.
I agree with just calling it the 250th anniversary. There are many observances here in the Boston area and I don’t think I have heard anyone call it anything else, they probably don’t know what the official term is.
I remember the Boston Pops broadcasts. They were a lot of fun. I never got to see it in person, though.
DeleteIt all sounds like fun! Happy 250th all y'all!
ReplyDeleteYou too Kait.
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