Screenshot of fireworks livestream,  Keystone, SD. July 3, 2020

For those of us who didn’t win a lottery ticket to see the fireworks, a link to the video is still up at travel South Dakota Mount Rushmore fireworks.

They start at around 8-minutes in with patriotic music and narration.  We are living in strange times so I’m glad the National Park Service decided to go forward with something normal and beautiful.  (The whole event is on C-SPAN in HD video.)

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln are currently on the “bad guys” list among certain subsets of Americans; good luck trying to destroy these massive sculptures!  They are a reminder of the importance of viewing people in the light of their historical contexts when making social judgments.

President Trump’s full Independence Day remarks can be read on C-SPAN (with HD video) or the Whitehouse website.

Let us also send our deepest thanks to our wonderful veterans, law enforcement, first responders, and the doctors, nurses, and scientists working tirelessly to kill the virus. They’re working hard. (Applause.) I want to thank them very, very much.

“The Star-Spangled Banner,” our currently controversial national anthem, played by the Air Force Band, begins after 14-minutes. Those present stood, shoulder to shoulder, sans masks.  I’m not scandalized.  Joyful Melania, Donald and citizens were donned in upbeat red, white and blue.  The “Salute America” fireworks begin at 1:34:59.  Enjoy this traditional show on C-SPAN and your holiday weekend.  (Laura, guest author)

“O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light…” Image: Wikipedia