NEWS
By Ron Kaye | July 1, 2011
Independence Day seems a fitting time to take stock of how we’re doing as a nation. It’s hard not to wonder what would have happened if the cast of characters we have sent to Washington to lead us today had been present in Philadelphia in July of 1776. Surely, they never would have agreed on the language of the Declaration of Independence and America never would have been born. They would still be arguing about which truths were self-evident, whether the unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness included abortion rights or gay marriage rights, and whether the 27 enumerated charges against the King of England should be expanded to include his failure to provide universal health care.
NEWS
By Michael J. Arvizu | December 7, 2009
Mexican Independence Day is considered to be one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the world. Every Sept. 16, hundreds of thousands of people gather in the capital city’s zocalo — or city center — to hear the president proclaim independence, or Grito de Dolores — the Cry of Dolores. The event commemorates the battle cry of Miguel Hidalgo on Sept. 16, 1810, the day Mexico declared its independence from Spain. Hoover High School junior Claudia Gonzalez, president of the school’s La Voz Latina Club, gave a five-minute presentation to her classmates Friday on the holiday’s significance.
NEWS
By Max Zimbert | September 20, 2009
Celebrating Armenian Independence Day is a little tricky. There is more than one Fourth of July equivalent for a nation that was ruled or invaded by Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Mongols, Persians, Ottoman Turks and Russians. More than 8,000 people of varying ethnicities were estimated to have danced, picnicked and celebrated the most recent declaration of independence when Armenia became the first non-Baltic republic to break away from the Soviet Union in 1991.
NEWS
By Ruth Longoria | June 26, 2009
Wave the flag and raise the tea bags. Some local residents are getting ready for a patriotic celebration of our nation’s independence with just a bit of revolution thrown in for good measure. Two public gatherings are planned in the coming weeks at the Jeffers’ estate, 1823 Foothill Blvd., in La Cañada, in honor of Independence Day. Both events require reservations, and include music, speeches and activities for children and adults, as well as catered meals, with hot dogs, hamburgers and all the other trimmings of a traditional small-town picnic.
NEWS
By Angela Hokanson | July 4, 2008
For Marelena Nuñoz, the Fourth of July is not just about marking the anniversary of the independence of the United States, but about remembering the profound sacrifices made by some Americans. ?It?s a nice day to celebrate the people that one day died for us, and remember them in a way,? said Nuñoz, 66, of Eagle Rock. For her, those sacrifices are personal. Her son, who was a Marine, died in 1999 in a helicopter accident during a training exercise in Okinawa. ?
FEATURES
By Ani Amirkhanian | September 24, 2007
Clear blue skies free from rain helped set the festive mood on Sunday, as thousands gathered to celebrate the independence of Armenia during the 9th Annual Armenian Independence Day Festival at Verdugo Park. The event celebrated 16 years of independence from the former Soviet Union. For nearly 70 years, Armenia was under communist rule until Sept. 21, 1991, when the nation gained its independence. The festival — sponsored by the Nor Serount Cultural Assn. — featured games, entertainment and Armenian vendors.
NEWS
By Ani Amirkhanian | September 10, 2007
In honor of Latino Heritage Month, the Alex Theatre helped pay tribute to the music of Mexico on Sunday with “Mexico with Love,” a tribute to Mexico’s legendary singers. The concert featured mariachi music, singing and the traditional dances of Mexico. Dressed in folk costumes with decorative accessories, the performers took to the stage and entertained the audience. For many attendees, the concert was a reminder of their Mexican heritage. Cindy Chavira, of San Gabriel, came to the concert with her 11-year-old daughter, Maite Reece.
NEWS
By Jason Wells | July 5, 2007
Lena Savaiinaea, just like most everyone these days, was well aware of the extreme brush fire danger this year as she and her young daughter sat waiting at La Crescenta Elementary School Wednesday for the return of the fireworks show. But as fire crews across the Southland braced for thousands of potential fire-starters to light up the sky for Fourth of July, Savaiinaea said it just wouldn't be the same without the traditional sparkle. Burbank Fire officials canceled that city's fireworks display this year in favor of a more benign laser lightshow at Starlight Bowl, citing the volatility of extremely dry brush in the area born of a record drought this season.
NEWS
By DAVID DREIER | July 4, 2007
The Fourth of July is a time for fireworks, picnics and parades. Millions of Americans celebrate every year with family and friends. Yet few of us appreciate the historical significance of the day, or why July 4, 1776, altered the course of the history of the world. Independence Day commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. The Declaration was drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, a gifted writer and thinker.