July 4, 1918 When Patriotism Was On Full Display

Greatest July 4th Parade In History of U.S., Held On Fifth Avenue
General view of the great parade proceeding up Fifth Avenue, New York City. photo: Underwood & Underwood July, 4, 1918

There was a time when July 4 did not mean merchandise sales, and a three or four day weekend with barbecues.

For perhaps the first 150 years after our break with Great Britain, Americans were imbued with a truer understanding of the Spirit of ’76.

The first row seats, the curbstones were eagerly seized by many people who came bright and early to watch the monster July 4th parade on Fifth Avenue, New York City. Most of them brought their lunches with them and stayed until nightfall. photo: Underwood & Underwood, July 4, 1918

The American revolution and its result, the United States of America meant unity for a group of colonies no longer willing to answer to a nation 3,000 miles away to make its laws and rule over its citizens.

Today that bit of history and its implications has been lost in divisiveness and ignorance of what freedom and liberty actually mean.

This big Italian-American float, carrying the likenesses of Presidents Wilson, Lincoln, and Washington, together with other celebrities including Columbus was one of the striking features in the greatest of all July 4 parades held on Fifth Avenue, New York City. photo: Underwood & Underwood, July 4, 1918

On July 4, 1918, with World War I threatening freedom, the people of New York came to witness not fireworks or protests, but a patriotic parade celebrating Independence Day.

Great Britain was represented in a July 4 parade for the first time in history. Our noble ally had a detachment of soldiers and sailors in the great pageant held on Fifth Avenue, New York City. This float depicts an incident in the battle of Jutland when the boy, John Travers Cornwell won the Victorian Cross by firing a gun aboard the cruiser Chester when all the other members of the gun crew were dead or dying. photo: Underwood & Underwood, July 4, 1918

In 1918 people held widely different political views; Republican, Democrat, Socialist. There was as now a diversity of viewpoints and cultures, but unity and a sense of pride in this great country prevailed over differences.

The Portuguese float – an old time war caravel filled with Portuguese warriors in armor – one of the most unique in the monster July 4th parade held on Fifth Avenue, New York. There was also a platoon of Portuguese sailors from a warship and an announcement that “there are 300,000 Portuguese in the United States.” photo Underwood & Underwood, July 4, 1918

Will the United States ever see true patriotism again? We don’t have a July 4, parade in New York City. The only parade we have is a stream of people escaping the city.

However, we do have a fireworks display that needs an enormous amount of security to protect us from groups that wish to terrorize us, divide us and bring about the end of the United States.

Y.M.C.A. float in the great patriotic July 4th parade on Fifth Avenue, New York City. photo: Underwood & Underwood, July 4, 1918

As some of us watch the fireworks on July 4, or gather with family or simply relax, maybe more people living in the United States should reflect on the struggles this country has endured and triumphed over since 1776. And contemplate –  what can be done to pass on these forgotten lessons to future generations?

That the Spirit of 1918 is the same as the Spirit of ’76 was attested to in the gigantic July 4 parade held on Fifth Avenue, New York City. Nearly every nation in the world was represented. There were Japanese, Hungarians, Syrians, Spaniards, Italians, Portuguese, Czechoslovaks, and many more – – all good Americans with one common purpose. photo: Underwood & Underwood, July 4, 1918