Fire up for Fireworks at Mt. Rushmore
June 18, 2009
What better way to celebrate our country’s freedom than by a spectacular fireworks display on the fourth of July?
You see them in your hometown but I am sure that most of you like me are ready to see something new and better. Most people think Washington when they think patriot fireworks shows, but what about Mt. Rushmore, one of the wonders of the world?
Mt. Rushmore is a tribute to four of the finest Americans in history, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Each face is 60 feet high and 500 feet up overlooking the Black Hills in South Dakota. They were constructed between 1927 - 1941 by Butzon Borglum to commemorate our four fathers in history.
Leading to the Grandview Terrace, walk through 56 flags representing the states and territories. A truly spectacular sight to behold on any day, but imagine what it would be like to sit below these flags, look up at these amazing sculptures commemorating our freedom and see fireworks exploding in the background highlighting every feature you may not even notice in the light.
“A monument’s dimensions should be determined by the importance to civilization of the events commemorated…Let us place there, carved high, as close to heaven as we can, the words of our leaders, their faces, to show posterity what manner of men they were. Then breathe a prayer that these records will endure until the wind and rain alone shall wear them away.” Butzon Borglum
In 1923 state historian Doane Robinson suggested carving giant statues in the Black Hills. Mt. Rushmore was chosen by Butzon Borglum himself. The faces chosen were based on our history and its battles. George Washington, commander of the Revolutionary army and our first President. Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and our third President. Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President and the man who restored the Union and ended slavery in the U.S. Finally, Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th President who encouraged progressive movements in the U.S. in conservation and business, and also happened to be a hero to Butzon Borglum.
Coined the Shrine of Democracy at its 1930 dedication, Butzon Borglum was hired to create a monument, but he created more than that, he created a shrine to our freedom, our independence, and our country. On the weekend that you will be celebrating our countries freedom, why not celebrate at Mount Rushmore.
The celebration at Mount Rushmore begins on the third of July and ends on the 4th with a Memorial Lighting ceremony and the United States Air Force Heartland Band Brass Ensemble.
Fireworks are on the third of July and are preempted by B-1 flyovers and patriot music sung by Robert Moore and also played by the Air Force Brass Ensemble. There are events scheduled all day. So when choosing a place to celebrate our independence this year, why not choose a memorial that exemplifies the U.S. and head to Mount Rushmore for a display you are not soon to forget.
