Celebrations: Fourth of July

Here's hoping you have a safe Fourth of July!* 

[Fourth of July, 1906. F.A. Loumis, copyright claimant.

Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.]

Unlike that of my friend Bonnie's paternal great great grandfather Thomas Davis Blossom on July 4th, 1853 in Hingham Massachusetts. He was "shockingly mangled by the premature discharge of a cannon...while in the act of loading.--His face was terribly burned, and his side and one arm severely shattered." Although early reports considered his injuries too grave to allow for his survival, he did in fact live on until 1871 although he suffered the loss of his left arm. He was a printer and newspaper publisher and was able to continue his profession after his recovery.

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