As noted yesterday by a friend of a friend, from Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History:

All that we can be absolutely certain of about Jefferson’s activities on the Fourth of July 1776 is that he recorded the temperature at 6A.M. as 68 degrees Farenheit, that he purchased a thermometer, and recorded the highest temperature of the day as 76 degrees, and that he paid for seven pairs of women’s gloves…

Old postcard Roger Williams Park.

*“You’re A Grand Old Flag” . . . George M. Cohan

The Cohans fudged the date a bit (Born on the Fourth of July!) for their vaudevillian act, but George sure took to the role as America’s cheerleader. Cohan, often referred to as ‘The Man Who Owned Broadway’, was a singer, dancer, producer, playwright and unbelievably prolific songwriter. Unfortunately his Fox Point birthplace — Corky Hill back then — was torn down before people thought about such things. It’s safe to assume that the concert at India Point Park this Sunday will feature a few of his tunes. To see what he looks like from the waist down, check out his statue in Times Square, New York City (after the jump).

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Governor Stephen Hopkins led our delegation to the 1774 Continental Congress, later signing the Declaration of Independence for the colony of Rhode Island, an act of great bravery. John Adams wrote in his autobiography regarding Hopkins’ contributions to the congress,

But Governor Hopkins of Rhode Island, above seventy Years of Age kept us all alive. Upon Business his Experience and judgment were very Usefull. But when the Business of the Evening was over, he kept Us in Conversation till Eleven and sometimes twelve O Clock. His Custom was to drink nothing all day nor till Eight O Clock, in the Evening, and then his Beveredge was Jamaica Spirit and Water. It gave him Wit, Humour, Anecdotes, Science and Learning. He had read Greek, Roman and British History: and was familiar with English Poetry particularly Pope, Tompson [Thomson] and Milton. . . I could neither eat nor drink in those days. The other Gentlemen were very temperate. Hopkins never drank to excess, but all he drank was immediately not only converted into Wit, Sense, Knowledge and good humour, but inspired Us all with similar qualities.

Can you still get this stuff? Sounds excellent. This is the Stephen Hopkins House on Benefit Street next to the courthouse. George Washington visited once. It is unknown if he actually slept there, or whether the two of them stayed up all night giggling.

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Friday and Saturday — McCoy Stadium, fireworks start 30 minutes after the end of the game (Friday’s game is SRO)

Saturday — Pierce Field, East Providence, assorted musical acts open, then fireworks start at 9-ish, no coolers, no pets

Sunday — India Point Park, Rhode Island Philharmonic performs light classics, patriotic favorites etc., fireworks display set to music starts at 9:15pm, simulcast on Lite105. (The Bristol Fireworks are set to go off at about the same time. Will they be visible from India Point? Maybe from the walkway?)

Monday — 10:30am, Bristol Parade (the oldest Fourth of July parade in the universe) kicks off. Live coverage abc6 television.

Complete statewide list at the ProJo.

Actually, Preparedness Day Parade, June 3, 1916 (from the Providence Public Library photostream). The flag waved as the children stood up and sat down. In other words. . . The Wave.

Don’t forget not to go to Boston tomorrow. The 114th Boston Marathon might get in your way. And keep in mind that certain offices in Massachusetts may be closed due to the Patriots’ Day holiday.

April 17th is National Record Store Day — Celebrate the bricks-and-mortar stores in your neighborhood that still sell real records. Go riffle through cartons of albums and have that wonderful “Oh my God, they have this!” experience that you can never get online because they always have everything online so it’s not fun anymore. For instance What Cheer Antiques in Wayland Square is celebrating with a 25% discount off all records and other music-related items both Saturday and Sunday. Click here for other Rhode Island real record stores.

Also — vendors wanted. What Cheer proprietors Jen and Chris Daltry are putting together another Rock & Roll Yard Sale for May 22nd, this one will be outdoors in the Grant’s Block downtown (rain date May 23rd). If you are interested in vending, the fee is $50 for a space up to 10′x10′ and for this event you must provide your own tables, chairs and tents if needed.

Is Homer Simpson beyond redemption? Ned Flanders tries his best to bring Homer into the fold in this recent Simpsons’ Easter episode. The Simpson family joins Flanders and the Reverend Lovejoy on a trip to Jerusalem (”Where B.C. turned into A.D.”) with predictable results. Pictured here, an exasperated Ned confronts Homer, caught napping in the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Savior’. Guest voice, Sasha Baron Cohen. No lessons are learned.

Set your clocks forward one hour tonight before you go to bed, or Sunday 2am, whichever comes first.

Today marks the 100th annual International Women’s Day.  Conceived in 1910 at the second International Conference of Working Women, the day’s original purpose was to draw attention to women’s equality and, hopefully, to give them the right to vote.  (At that point New Zealand women, the first to vote, had only been doing it for seventeen years.)

The first event took place the following year, in 1911.  It was formally recognized by the UN in 1975, and International Women’s Day is now a national holiday in fourteen countries, most of them former Communist nations.  Though it originally took place on March 19, it was moved to March 8 in 1913 later and has taken place on this day ever since.

There’s a website showcasing this year’s events around the world, the closest of which seems to be in Boston.

Merchants Bank Building, 32 Westminster Street, built in 1855.

I can’t wait any longer, I’m too excited. This is the Darkness, in all their snaggle-toothed glory, performing Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End).

This informal invitation came through the transom and as far as I know it’s still on. From Emily of Recycle-a-Bike,

Come with decorated bikes to ride the streets spreading holiday cheer! Meet at White Electric around 3:30 where we will soon after depart. Bring suggestions for destinations you would like to stop and sing at, otherwise we will just ride until our holiday hearts are content, or we find some food!

Baby it’s cold outside! No double-dog-dares regarding tongues and handlebars. Stay warm and get lit.

Friday, 3:30pm, White Electric, 711 Westminster Street