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Health & Fitness

Montville's Fourth of July: 1800's Style

Toasts, parades, banquets, and military maneuvers used to be the focus of Early American Independence Day celebrations.

Most people associate barbeques, vacationing, family picnics and fireworks with July 4th activities. When I was a kid growing up in Montville, my parents did the picnic rounds throughout town to various friends’ houses.  The day usually ended at Ocean Beach where we played miniature golf and watched the fireworks from the boardwalk. I can still remember how incredible the sparkling American flag fireworks looked as they light up the sky and reflected against the water. But for a moment, let's look back in time to just after the Revolutionary War when the celebrations first began. 

Following the Revolutionary War, Independence Day became one of the most important patriotic holidays. These celebrations began almost immediately preceded the end of the War.  William Pencak stated in Riot and Revelry in Early America that “songs, banners, floats, orations, and theatrical pageants dotted the calendar and linked local public spaces throughout the land to political and national events while simultaneously providing entertainment and patriotic education.” 

Independence Day activities annually reminded folks of our newly formed American ideals.  Montville was no different than any other town in early United States. An article in the Connecticut Gazette (1801) reported, “On Saturday the 4th July, a number of the citizens of this town convened for the purpose of celebrating the anniversary of our national birth.  The light infantry company commanded by Capt. George Allen, met and performed a variety of military evolutions with much applause; after which, the military and other citizens partook of a social repast, an during the entertainment toasts were drank.”  Usually at the end of the parade were banquets which the general public attended.  These festivities ended with the toasting of various individuals and feats of the Early Republic.

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Toasts held importance for they exemplified the nationalistic views of the holiday.  It was common for a town to print their Independence Day toasts in local newspapers.  An example of Montville’s toasts from 1801 included:

“The day we celebrate, adds one year to our Independence and May the seed of discord be eradicated from every heart." And, "Genuine friendship unite the inhabitants of these lands in indissoluble bond.”

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All together there were 16 different toasts ranging from the heroism of George Washington to the importance of supporting Montville's farmers. Nor were women forgotten, as the toasts always included their recognition for raising virtuous young Americans. One could imagine that quite a few citizens left the ceremonies quite happy!

On this July 4th when you’re celebrating with friends, families, or co-workers, take a moment to reflect on the founding of our nation.  Remember to have a toast to the 235th Birthday of America!

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