logo
Notre Dame College Prep students plant flags on campus lawn in tribute to country, fallen soldiers

Notre Dame College Prep students plant flags on campus lawn in tribute to country, fallen soldiers

Chicago Tribune10 hours ago
Students of Notre Dame College Prep high school in Niles put patriotism, pride and a salute to military personnel on display, staking thousands of small American flags on the campus lawn ahead of Independence Day.
'This tradition began in 2008 by math teacher Mr. John Bachta, this student-led tribute has become a cherished tradition at NDCP,' school leaders stated in a news release announcing the planting event. 'This visual tribute is more than a tradition — it's a moving show of gratitude from the next generation to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.'
Installed June 24, the display is planned to remain on the lawn through July 4.
'It's a story of remembrance, community pride, and patriotism that continues to inspire,' according to the release.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why do we light up fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July?
Why do we light up fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July?

CBS News

time2 hours ago

  • CBS News

Why do we light up fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July?

Why is the Fourth of July celebrated by lighting fireworks? Why is the Fourth of July celebrated by lighting fireworks? Why is the Fourth of July celebrated by lighting fireworks? A big part of the upcoming July Fourth holiday involves marveling at explosions in the sky. But why do we light fireworks on Independence Day? The tradition is rooted in America's history. "You see the enthusiasm of people getting ready for the 4th of July and like I always say, we sell a product but what we really sell is a product that brings people together," said Anders Nelson, who owns Fireworks Nation. "As Americans, it's almost in our DNA." On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. But on the day before, July 3, 1776 founding father John Adams wrote a letter to his wife saying the country's independence should be celebrated "with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." Using fireworks as a celebration was carried over from medieval Europe, when the colorful explosions marked festivals, royal weddings, and military victories. In Minneapolis, they paint the sky for Aquatennial in late July and burst above the bleachers after Twins games at Target Field. Nelson said his customers have all types of reasons to buy fireworks. "Funny enough, I had somebody come in and he bought a huge roll of firecrackers, and I asked him what it was for and he was getting married. The same guy came back two years later, and he was getting a divorce," Nelson said. You can fire up several reasons to light up, but no occasion in the U.S. draws more excitement for fireworks than the Fourth of July. "I love the artistry, the color, putting certain things together," Nelson said of fireworks shows. Fireworks date back to around the year 800 in China. They were initially used to ward off evil spirits and celebrate weddings and births. Communities across Minnesota will have firework shows to celebrate July Fourth. You can see where to view fireworks all across Minnesota here.

Utah skies to be filled with F-35A jets for Fourth of July. Here's where to watch
Utah skies to be filled with F-35A jets for Fourth of July. Here's where to watch

Yahoo

time6 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Utah skies to be filled with F-35A jets for Fourth of July. Here's where to watch

A float of F-35A Lightning II jets will grace Utah skies in celebration of Independence Day. An annual tradition from Utah's premier Air Force Reserve unit, the 419th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, has been conducting flyovers for 37 years. Between 8:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. MDT on Friday, pilots will fly over multiple cities across the state, starting at West Point and ending at Park City. Lt. Col. Justin Cleveland will lead the flyover formation alongside Maj. Daniel Huber, Maj. Justin Newman and Maj. Dustin Smail — collectively adding up to more than 8,000 flight hours of experience in military aviation. The 419th Fighter Wing is made up of over 1,200 personnel, who are 'Citizen Airmen,' meaning they are full-time members of their local communities while also serving part time in the military. Most members of the 419th Fighter Wing live, work and raise families in northern Utah. They contribute $115 million to Utah's economy. These 'Citizen Airmen' train one weekend a month and two weeks a year to be ready for deployment if needed. About 50% have served on active duty, but they regularly volunteer to deploy in support of contingency operations and humanitarian efforts. The logistics of the flyover including aircraft maintenance and airfield operations will be managed by the active duty counterpart maintainers from 388th Fighter Wing and operators from the 75th Air Base Wing. The flyover traditions stands as a visible testament to the enduring relationship between Hill Air Force Base and the communities they inhabit and serve, while also honoring the values of freedom, unity and service. As usual, the flight paths are subject to change due to weather conditions or operational requirements. Real-time updates on flyover schedule will be posted in the 419th Fighter Wing's official Facebook page. 9:04 a.m.- West Point 9:09 a.m.- Millcreek 9:14 a.m.- Pleasant Grove 9:23 a.m.- Riverdale 9:24 a.m.- Clearfield 9:25 a.m.- Kaysville 9:28 a.m.- South Salt Lake 9:43 a.m.- Neola 9:47 a.m.- Vernal 10:06 a.m.- Huntsville 10:13 a.m.- Lewiston 10:20 a.m.- North Ogden 10:25 a.m.- Henefer 10:28 a.m.- Salt Lake City 10:30 a.m.- West Jordan 10:31 a.m.- Riverton 11:00 a.m.- Park City

This town holds the record for the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebrations
This town holds the record for the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebrations

USA Today

time8 hours ago

  • USA Today

This town holds the record for the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebrations

Cue the fireworks and fire up those grills, because the Fourth of July is almost here. The origins of the national holiday date back to July 4, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed. However, the annual observation of the holiday only became a regular occurrence after the War of 1812, when events such as groundbreaking ceremonies for the Erie Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were scheduled to coincide with Fourth of July festivities, according to the Library of Congress. By the 1870s, Independence Day had become the most important nonreligious holiday for many Americans, and on June 28, 1870, Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday. As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, here's what to know about the event's history and which town hold the record for hosting the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebrations. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle Fourth of July: What are the top destinations for this year? Which town holds the record for the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration? The Town of Bristol in Rhode Island, located about 16 miles south of Providence, holds the record for the oldest Fourth of July celebration in the country, according to the town's website. When did Fourth of July celebrations begin in Bristol? The annual celebration in the waterfront community of Bristol began long before the Fourth of July became a federal holiday in June 1870. According to the town's website, celebrations in Bristol started in 1785 when Revolutionary War veteran Rev. Henry Wight of the First Congregational Church conducted the first of what's known as the patriotic exercises, an event honoring military veterans. "It is not known exactly when the Parade started but it is thought that it evolved from the procession of community members walking to Patriotic Exercises," the website says, adding "the Parade, the Military, Civic and Firemen's Parade, is believed to have begun in the early 1800's." How does Bristol celebrate Fourth of July? Fourth of July celebrations in Bristol kick off on June 14. After the Flag Day ceremony comes a nightly concert series at Independence Park, a Fourth of July ball, the Orange Crate Derby and numerous other events, according to the town's website, before culminating with a 2.5 mile Military, Civic and Firemen's Parade on July 4. In past years, residents have come as early as 4 a.m. rain or shine to stake out a prime spot along the parade route and have decked out their houses with elaborate displays including a nearly life-size replica of the Iwo Jima Memorial, USA TODAY previously reported. When are Fourth of July celebrations in Bristol in 2025? Fourth of July celebrations in Bristol will take place on Thursday, July 3 at 9:30 p.m. with fireworks followed by a parade on Friday, July 4 at 10:30 a.m. Fireworks will be set off over Bristol Harbor, according to USA TODAY reporting, while the parade begins at the corner of Chestnut Street and Hope Street and ends on High Street. Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY / Catherine Messier, USA TODAY NETWORK - New England Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store