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As Americans and residents of the United States prepare for some festive Fourth of July celebrations, they can keep these interesting facts related to Independence Day in mind.
Americans celebrate Independence Day every July 4. The holiday has become synonymous with summer fun, as grand fireworks displays and backyard barbecues are integral components of many people's July 4 celebrations.
As Americans and residents of the United States prepare for some festive Fourth of July celebrations, they can keep these interesting facts related to Independence Day in mind.
· There have been many iterations of the American flag. The American flag has become an iconic symbol of freedom recognized across the globe since the United States declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776. But few July 4 celebrants may know that the current version is the 27th iteration of the American flag. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the current version of the flag officially became the flag on July 4, 1960.
· More than half of all Americans own an American flag. A 2023 poll from WalletHub found that 57 percent of Americans own an American flag. And that's not the only way Americans show their national pride, as the same poll found that roughly one in three Americans intended to purchase patriotic merchandise for July 4.
· The United States is not the only place to celebrate American independence. Such celebrations occur in various countries, including Australia, Denmark, Ireland, and Norway. The festivities in Rebild National Park in Denmark is believed to be the largest celebration of American independence outside the United States.
· The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates that 150 million hot dogs are consumed on July 4. Though there's no corresponding estimate related to how many hamburgers Americans eat on July 4, various reports suggest Americans eat roughly 50 billion burgers annually, so it's fair to conclude many a burger will be consumed this Independence Day.
· July is a popular month for nations to celebrate their independence. In addition to the United States, various countries, including Algeria (July 5), Argentina (July 9), The Bahamas (July 10), Belarus (July 3), Burundi (July 1), Canada (July 1), Cape Verde (July 1), Colombia (July 20), Kiribati (July 12), and Liberia (July 26), celebrate their Independence Day in July.
· John Adams, a Founding Father of the United States and the second president in the country's history, felt Americans should celebrate their independence from Great Britain on July 2. That's because the Continential Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776. However, the Declaration of Independence was not approved for two more days, thus making July 4 the day to celebrate America's independence from Great Britain.
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Ivy Harris of Salem will be departing soon for a Christian mission trip to Australia. She will be a sophmore at Indiana University Southeast this fall and is the daughter of Roy and Gretta Harris of Salem.
Ivy describes below how she came to be involved in this exciting experience:
Personal information about yourself:
I graduated Salem High School in 2023, and I just finished my first year of college at IU Southeast. I’m pursuing a business degree concentrated in accounting. I entered IUS on sophomore standing because I took dual credit and AP classes in high school; I’ll be graduating in three years rather than four.
On campus I'm involved in a Christian organization called Cru. I learned about this organization at the Student Involvement & Resource Fair during my first week of college, and I joined right away. It was important to me to have a community of Christian friends during my time at IUS. It’s common for believers to fall away from faith during their college years, and I didn’t want to be a part of that. This organization is on 8,919 campuses worldwide, and it offers a variety of mission trip opportunities all over the globe.
How did you get involved with the mission trip:
I felt like the Lord was calling me to go on my first mission, and my friend from IUS also felt the same way. We were on the Cru website scrolling through the different options and Australia stood out to both of us. We both applied online and decided to go through this together. After the application was reviewed by the mission leader, she called to give me more details about the trip and so we could ask each other any questions. Then, a week later, I got the email of acceptance to go on the mission trip.
Details about the venue:
The trip is in Sydney, Australia July 11-27. The team will be meeting and spending the night in Las Angeles, CA on July 10 to do some team building, then we will leave in the evening of July 11 to fly to Sydney. The team includes three staff members and there are seven of us students. The team is made up of staff and students in Cru from several different states including Texas, Minnesota, Florida, and North Carolina. In L.A., we’ll be staying at Aloft El Segundo Hotel. In Australia, we will be staying at Quest Macquarie Park, which is an apartment hotel.
Duties and activities expected of you:
My team and I will be partnering with the Cru staff and student leaders at the University of Sydney and Macquarie University (Power To Change is Cru’s official name in Australia). We will be welcoming and reaching out to international students on their campuses. There are 87,000+ international students in New South Wales. Most of those international students are from China, Korea, India, Malaysia, and Vietnam. We will be evangelizing to these students and encouraging them to check out their campus’ Cru organization. On Mondays through Fridays we will be 9-5 working at the campuses, with some additional evening activities. Saturdays are for team outings/development. Sundays are for church and rest.
Info about the sponsoring organization:
Cru’s mission statement is to win, build and send Christ-centered multiplying disciples who launch spiritual movements. Cru was originally founded as Campus Crusade for Christ in 1951, when Bill and Vonette Bright began the ministry on the UCLA campus. God gave Bill a vision of the total fulfillment of the Great Commission throughout the world, starting with college students. Cru helps the body of Christ to do evangelism and discipleship in a variety of creative ways such as campus ministries, Cru’s city ministry, FamilyLife, Athletes in Action, Cru Military, and the “JESUS” film. Cru has more than 16,000 staff members in over 190 countries.
Personal experience with traveling and expectations:
This will be my first time out of the country and also my first time on a plane.
I hope to return with powerful stories of how I saw God moving during this mission trip.I’m excited to go to a new place and to focus solely on God for two and a half weeks. Although, I'm a little nervous about the flight as I've never been on a plane before.
I’m looking forward to building friendships with my team and sharing the gospel with the students in Australia.
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The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) submitted an inventory of lost farmland report to the Legislative Council. In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly passed House Enrolled Act 1557, which tasked ISDA to complete an inventory of lost farmland in Indiana from 2010-2022.
ISDA determined through the inventory of lost farmland that there has been an overall reduction of farmland acres of approximately 1.5-2% from 2010-2022. This represents a loss of approximately 350,000 acres. The results show that agricultural land was most likely to be lost in areas around the edges of cities and suburban areas. The primary cause of reduction in farmland was due to residential use.
“Agriculture is, and always has been, the lifeblood of the Hoosier state,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Data is critical for all levels of government when making decisions that may affect our rural communities and food security.”
ISDA used two sources of data – (1) parcel data from the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) and (2) the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Crop Data Layer (CDL). Both datasets have different qualities that make them desirable for attempting to discern both the quantity of land use change and the causes of land use change.
“The inventory of lost farmland was an opportunity for ISDA and legislators to gain access to reliable data, where up until now, we could only make assumptions,” said Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “This information is important to have for policy development as we work to balance economic growth, food security and the preservation of agricultural land, because we know when agriculture is strong, Indiana is too.”
Despite the loss in acreage, yield data from USDA NASS shows that Indiana’s production of its cash crops has increased. In 2012, Indiana produced over 597 million bushels of corn for grain, and in 2022 yielded over 1 billion bushels. Indiana produced nearly 219 million bushels of soybeans in 2012 and saw that number increase to over 326 million in 2022.
ISDA outlined several recommendations within the report to the Legislative Council, including that legislation be passed directing ISDA to update the inventory of lost farmland every five years, starting in 2029 for a report to be published in 2030.
To view the full 2010 to 2022 report or narrative, click here or visit isda.in.gov.
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Following is the schedule of events for the 194th Annual Pekin 4th Of July Festival:
WEDNESDAY, JULY 3
7:00 a.m. til 10:00 a.m. ............. Breakfast at the Pekin Park Shelter House by Main Street Meats
8:00 a.m - 10:00 am.............. Registration for 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament at the Basketball Court
10:00 a.m................................... 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament Starts (until the last game finishes)
at the Basketball Court
8:00 a.m. til 12:00 p.m. ............. Set up for Craft Vendors/Flea Market, Food Vendors, and Rides
Homeland Security and Health Department Inspections
5:00 p.m. til Fireworks .............. Food Court Open
5:00 p.m. til Fireworks .............. Craft Vendors/Flea Market Open
5:00 p.m. til Fireworks .............. Bluegrass Rides Open , DJ Eric by the Stage
5:00 p.m. til 8:00 p.m. ............... Sign-ups for the Watermelon and Corn on the Cob Eating Contest at the Pekin Community Betterment Organization Booth
5:30 p.m. ..................................... Dessert Auction Begins
Immediately after the Dessert Auction Recognition of the reigning Firecracker and Dynamite Winners
7:00 p.m. til 10:00 p.m. ............. Juice Box Heroes perform on the Pekin Park Stage
8:30 p.m. til 9:00 p.m. ............... Intermission for the Juice Box Heroes and Dessert Auction with Sam Hurst
10:00 p.m. ................................... Fireworks by Straight Shooters
THURSDAY, JULY 4
7:00 a.m. til 10:00 a.m. ..................... Breakfast at the Pekin Park Shelter House by Main Street Meats
8:00 a.m. ............................................ Parade line-up at Eastern High School
10:00 a.m. .......................................... Parade-Tisha Coles, Coordinator with Family and Friends
Theme- 2024 - "Celebrate Days Gone By"
Grand Marshals - Steve Burnett and Gary Nale
12:30 pm. ........................................... Invocation by Dr. Jeremy Goen-Pekin Church of Christ Minister
Presentation of “Colors” and Pledge of Allegiance led by Dr. Jeremy Goen
Star Spangled Banner- Allison Hein
Reading of the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence - 2024 Eastern High School Valedictorian- Glenn Gosnell
Back Home Again in Indiana - Allison Hein
Welcome Patrons - Taylor Humphrey-Arnold, Pekin Community Betterment Organization President
Grand Marshals Induction
11:00 a.m. til 5:30 p.m. ..................... Food Court Open
11:00 a.m. til 5:30 p.m. ..................... Craft Vendors/Flea Market Open
11:00 a.m. til 5:30 p.m. ..................... Bluegrass Rides Open, DJ Eric by the Stage
1:30 p.m. ............................................ Dollars for Scholars of Eastern High School on the Pekin Park Stage
2:30 p.m. ............................................ Prince and Princess Contest on the Pekin Park Stage
- Darlene Hall, Coordinator
Immediately following the Prince and Princess Contest- 2nd Annual Watermelon Eating Contest and
2nd Annual Corn on the Cob Eating Contest
4:00 p.m. ............................................ Queen Contest on the Pekin Park Stage -Darlene Hall, Coordinator
5:00 p.m. ............................................ 2024 Queen Crowning Announcement
Immediately following - Gun Raffle drawing
Immediately following - Special Thanks and Closing by Taylor Humphrey-Arnold, President PCBO 2024
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Here is an opportunity for you to make a lifelong friend from abroad by hosting an exchange student for 3, 5, or 10 months! Enrich your family with another culture. Now you can host a high school exchange student (girl or boy) from Belgium, France, Germany, Ukraine, Scandinavia, Spain, Japan, Italy or other countries. Single parents, as well as couples with or without children, may host.
Contact Amy at 1-800-736-1760 (Toll-free), visit host.asse.com or email
Interesting Facts Related To Independence Day
03 Jul 2024
Ivy Harris Prepares For Mission Trip to Australia
03 Jul 2024
Indiana's Inventory Of Lost Farmland 2010-1022
01 Jul 2024
2024 4th of July Schedule of Events
01 Jul 2024
Seeking Host Families for Foreign Exchange Students
01 Jul 2024
Campbellsburg Country Festival Kickoff
01 Jul 2024
Register For Fire Academy By July 24
28 Jun 2024
Jed Trainor Wins 2024 Bronco Sport In YMCA Raffle
27 Jun 2024
Submit Art/Photography For DNR License Card Contest
27 Jun 2024
Domestic Violence Incident Results In Attempted Murder Charge
27 Jun 2024
Submit Your Observations To The 2024 Turkey Brood Count July 1-August 31
26 Jun 2024
Fire Dept. Receives Grant From WCCF
25 Jun 2024
Hildreth Promoted To Sergeant
25 Jun 2024
Fox Purlee Wealth Management Pledges Significant Donation to YMCA's Capital Campaign
25 Jun 2024
Indiana Destination Development Corporation Releases Eclipse Economic Impact Study
24 Jun 2024
Family Fun Night at Borden July 12
24 Jun 2024
The Borden Church of Christ is hosting Family Fun Night on Friday, July 12, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The church is located at 426 W. Water St., Borden.
A sensational evening of family fun has been planned, including a foam-tastic party with food, games, crafts and amazing givaways.
The public is invited.
Jed Trainor Wins 2024 Bronco Sport In YMCA Raffle
21 Jun 2024
Salem Man Featured In History Channel Survival Series
21 Jun 2024
Your Help Is Needed In Making Sure All Hoosiers Know How To Find Help
20 Jun 2024
Salem Welcomes New Firefighters
20 Jun 2024
Officials welcomed two new city firefighters during the June meetings of the Salem Board of Public Works and Safety and the Common Council. Mayor Justin Green is shown with Wade Pennington and Dylan Williams.
Photo By Becky Killian
Duke Energy Hot Weather Tips
20 Jun 2024
Oil Cooler Issue Sidelining New Indiana State Police Dodge Durango Patrol Vehicles
20 Jun 2024
Internet Safety Month: Keeping Our Kids And Communities Safe
20 Jun 2024
Pekin Methodist VBS Is June 24-26
19 Jun 2024
The Pekin Methodist Church will be hosting Vacation Bible School Wednesday through Friday, June 24-26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The church is located at 244 S. Shorts Corner Road, Pekin.
Activities will include class, crafts, music, snacks and games.
The public is invited.
Motorcycle Crash Injures Two
18 Jun 2024
Deer-Vehicle Collisions And You
18 Jun 2024
WCCF Open House Is July 18
18 Jun 2024
Nature Day at Delaney Creek Park
17 Jun 2024
Indiana National Guard Announces Roachdale Resident as New Command Chief Warrant Officer
17 Jun 2024
Better Business Bureau's Hot Topics For June
14 Jun 2024
Taking Care Of The Elderly On"Elder Abuse Awareness Day"
14 Jun 2024
Southern Hills VBS is July 15-18
13 Jun 2024
Illegal Immigrant Who Committed Murder For Hire In Indiana To Remain Behind Bars
12 Jun 2024
What is a Conservancy District?
12 Jun 2024
Police Seek Eye-Witnesses / Information
12 Jun 2024
Four-Vehicle Accident On Bypass June 9
12 Jun 2024
Better Air Quality Info Allows Hoosiers to Breathe Easier
12 Jun 2024
Seven FFA Leaders To Be Elected
12 Jun 2024
Motorcycle Accident With Deer
12 Jun 2024
Man Charged With Theft
12 Jun 2024
Exciting Opportunity to Win a 2024 Bronco Sport and Support Local Families!
12 Jun 2024
Bridge Work Planned on State Road 60 Near Salem
12 Jun 2024
Washington County Garden Tours June 29 & 30
12 Jun 2024
"Outside The Walls" Receives Grant From WCCF
11 Jun 2024
Buy A Ticket For Chance To Win A 2024 Bronco By June 19
10 Jun 2024
Mosier Chiropractic Makes Generous Donation To YMCA Capital Campaign
10 Jun 2024
Appeals Court Upholds Heath OWI Conviction
10 Jun 2024
In-home Childcare Provider Arrested for Felony Battery and Neglect
10 Jun 2024
Warming Station Implements Summer Schedule
10 Jun 2024
Vehicle Strikes Telephone Pole
07 Jun 2024
By Abigail Shields, Website Editor
On Friday, June 7, at approximately 1:28 p.m. deputies and emergency personel responded to the area between Highway 60 and IN 335 where a Toyota Sienna ran off the roadway, striking a telephone pole. There were no injuries.
Deputy Abby Powers was at the scene assisted by members of the Salem Fire Department.
Highway 60 closed shortly after the accident.
Crusade for Children
07 Jun 2024
Lucas Gray Promoted To Lieutenant
07 Jun 2024
Sheriff Brent Miller in congratulates Lucas Gray on his recent promotion to the rank of Lieutenant.
Gray has been proudly serving and protecting the citizens of Washington County for more than eight years.
Congratulations Lucas Gray, and thank you for your dedication to our communities and your commitment to the sheriffs department.
Metal Powder Products Votes To Unionize
07 Jun 2024
Myers Pool Undergoes Demolition
07 Jun 2024
Road Paving Underway In The County
07 Jun 2024
2024 Open Sheep Show Results
05 Jun 2024
2024 Open Class Categories for Washington Co. Merchants Fair
05 Jun 2024
New Hope Fish Fry Is This Friday
05 Jun 2024
Blood Drive This Friday At YMCA
04 Jun 2024
Auction To Support Covenanter Cemetery
04 Jun 2024
Construction Continues On N. Shelby St. As Part Of State Grant
03 Jun 2024
Suspect Arrested After Early Morning Shooting Near Salem
03 Jun 2024
Visit The Farmer's Market On Saturday Mornings In June
03 Jun 2024
2024 Washington Co. Farmers-Merchants Fair Schedule of Events
03 Jun 2024
YMCA Offers Free Meals for Kids this Summer
03 Jun 2024
Pedestrian Struck and Killed in Early Morning Crash on I-64
03 Jun 2024
UPDATE: State Road 56 Closure West of Scottsburg Postponed
03 Jun 2024
Piecemakers Quilt Guild 41st Annual Quilt Show This Friday
03 Jun 2024
Pekin 4th of July Watermelon & Corn on the Cob Eating Contest Rules
31 May 2024
Pekin 4th of July Baby Contest Rules
31 May 2024
Sheridan Breaks Ground on Monon Trail Extension
31 May 2024
Local Girl Scouts to be Recognized at Older Girl Recognition Ceremony
31 May 2024
Community Theatre Brings Suspenseful Thrillers to Local Stage
31 May 2024
Section Of State Road 56 To Be Closed
30 May 2024
A section of State Road 56 west of Scottsburg will be closed June 1, 6 a.m. through June 15, 11:45 p.m.
The stretch of road is located between Mount Road and Finley Firehouse Road. The road will be completely closed, and a detour route will be marked.
Bike Night On The Salem Square
30 May 2024
Theft Is On The Rise
30 May 2024
Library Announces Summer Reading Program
29 May 2024
Lots Of Swimming Opportunities In The Area
29 May 2024
Events Assist Veterans with Benefits
29 May 2024
Discover Southern Indiana Announces the Expansion of the Regional Tourism Brand
29 May 2024
New Albany Police Officer Arrested for Stalking and Other Charges
24 May 2024
2024 Fair Open Class Rules
24 May 2024
Brick Street Festival Is June 8
23 May 2024
Results From Sheriff's Dept. Drug Drop & Food Drive
23 May 2024
When Will The Pekin Bridge Be Completed?
23 May 2024
Roll-Over Crash With Injuries, Entrapment
23 May 2024
Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Improvements To Public Square
23 May 2024
Campbellsburg Post 195 Memorial Day Ceremonies
22 May 2024
50 Service Members Died This Past Year
22 May 2024
YMCA Offers Community Garden
22 May 2024
VA Benefits Help Opportunity
22 May 2024
Salem Memorial Day Ceremony To Honor Local Veterans
22 May 2024
What Families Can Do To Honor Fallen Veterans
21 May 2024
Watch For Signs Of Human Trafficking At Indy 500, Attorney General Warns Race Fans
21 May 2024
WCCF Donors Award Grants to Local Organizations
21 May 2024
YMCA Hosting Kickball for a Cause
20 May 2024
‘Click It or Ticket’ seat belt enforcement campaign launching statewide
17 May 2024
Motor Vehicle Crash With Injury
17 May 2024
Salem Needs Volunteer Firefighters
17 May 2024
The Salem Fire Department is in need of volunteer firefighters.
Applicants must be 18-40 years of age, live in Salem or Washington County, possess a valid Indiana Drivers License and be willing to complete state mandatory training within one year.
Those interested should contact Salem Fire Department at 109 North High Street, Salem or call 812-883-4970.
New Historic Orleans Mural Unveiled
17 May 2024
Here's to Our Health
17 May 2024
County Schools Announce Graduation Times
17 May 2024
Trailer Of Sawdust Is Engulfed In Flames
17 May 2024
Get into Indiana State Parks free this Sunday, May 19
17 May 2024
Crown Hill Could See Natural Burials
15 May 2024
Head-On Collision May 9
15 May 2024
May is National Foster Care Month
15 May 2024
Enrollment Is Open For Southeast Summer Learning Labs
15 May 2024
Where Does Your Money Go?
15 May 2024
Hardinsburg Man Arrested for Child Molestation and Related Crimes
14 May 2024
Prepare For Natural Disasters
14 May 2024
Sheriff Miller Recognizes National Police Week
14 May 2024
Chamber Plans Ribbon Cutting On Public Square
10 May 2024
Wash. Co. Farmers Market Opens May 11
09 May 2024
![](http://southernindiana.us/images/Cars_N_Coffee.png#joomlaImage://local-images/Cars_N_Coffee.png?width=737&height=531 )
09
May
Washington County Family YMCA Launches Capital Campaign Kick-Off Party and Raffle Event at Cars N Coffee Extravaganza
09 May 2024
Spring Kickball Tournament May 25
08 May 2024
The Washington County Family YMCA is hosting a Spring Kickball Tournament on Saturday, May 25.
" Kickball For A Cause" is a YMCA Annual Campaign Fundraiser.
There will be Youth and Adult divisions, and prizes will be awarded to the winning teams in both divisions.
For more information or to register, call the YMCA at 812-883-9622.
Drive-Through Drug Drop and Food Drive This Saturday
08 May 2024
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