Fourth of July 

Independence Day in El Paso, TX

For decades, El Pasoans have celebrated Independence Day in many different ways.  The most common one is the use of fireworks. Parades and music festivals have also been practiced, commemorating the declaration of US Independence from Great Britain on July 4th, 1776. The statement was adopted by 56 delegates, giving our nation the right to select our own government.  In El Paso, the History Museum and local newspapers have diligently tracked and published many events that have happened in observation of this remarkable holiday: 

• On July 4, 1942, as published by the El Paso Herald Post, calvary men from Fort Bliss and infantrymen from Cd. Juarez, marched the streets of downtown El Paso. Mexican senators, deputies, generals, Chihuahua governor Alfredo Chavez, and Juarez mayor, Antonio J. Bermudez, along with several American civil dignitaries and military commanders, including Sen. W. lee O'Daniel, Consul General W. P. Blocker, and Mayor J.E. Anderson, gathered together at a reviewing stand of the San Jacinto Plaza to watch the historical parade.  Thousands of spectators from both sides of the border lined the parade route while simultaneously cheering: "Hoo-ray!" (Americans), and "Viva Mexico! Viva Los Estados Unidos!" (Mexicans).

                                                                         

• On July 2, 1959, The El Paso Times advertised a 4th of July dance, which was sponsored by Father Rahm, a legendary Catholic priest and Jesuit who helped and advocated for at-risk teens.

        

                Source: Private collection of Skip Clark     Uploaded by: El Paso Museum of History's Digital Wall (DIGIE)    

• In the past, KLAQ radio station sponsored raft races on the Rio Grande.  The picture below was retrieved from the El Paso History Museum's Digital Wall (DIGIE); it shows race participants on a 4th of July day.  

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                                                                                                    Area: Upper Valley / Borderland
                                                                                                    Source: T.E.DENT
                                                                                                    Uploaded by: barbara 2