Tomorrow, we pause to observe the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, an event deserving of the celebration of a lifetime.
Visiting Philadelphia a number of years ago, I had occasion to walk past Independence Hall where it could be said the nation saw its origin. Inside those walls in a non-descript room, our nation’s founders debated and passed the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776. Then, 11 years later, with victory achieved in the Revolutionary War, many of the same people met in the same room to draft and ratify a constitution, which remains in effect to this day.
Apparently, in those colonial times, America had not yet developed a love of history and nostalgia. For more than 100 years, this room was used to store feed for the city’s fleet of horses. By 1900, all that changed and a total restoration of the area to its original appearance, and it was opened to the public.
Recently, a group of pundits addressed what some of the nation’s greatest achievements are for the past two-and-one half centuries. To no one’s surprise, the internet is considered one of our greatest advancements.
Along the way, America launched six crews to the moon and returned all 12 astronauts safely to earth. This followed the 1903 invention of the airplane, which was successfully flown in a barren field in North Carolina.
With the help of Dr. Jonas Salk, in 1954, America eradicated polio in the United States and much of the world.
In 1914, thanks to American ingenuity, the Panama Canal was opened revolutionizing global trade and shipping.
In a Boston laboratory, in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone and early in the 20th century, Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb which literally illuminated the nation and world.
America is considered the birthplace of and primary innovator of global music, including jazz, rock and roll, blues and hip hop.
Since 1890, America has been consistently ranked as the world’s largest national economy.
The list goes on and on.
Closer to home, in Hutchinson, Kansas we are preparing for the 113th Kansas State Fair slated to get underway in 11 weeks. And, let’s celebrate the fact Hutchinson has hosted every Kansas State Fair held since 1913, no small achievement for the Salt City.
To launch our State Fair experience, let’s plan to meet the evening of August 1 for Boots and Bling and celebrate more than two decades of an event established to promote the betterment of the fairgrounds.
The greatest days of the Kansas State Fair and the United States of America are yet to come. Let’s jump on and enjoy the ride.
-Richard Shank
Kansas State Fair Ambassador
Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation Board Member
About the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation
The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Founded in 2003, KFF’s mission is to further the renovation, construction, preservation and beautification of the Kansas State Fairgrounds with a vision of inspiring excellence and understanding of Kansas agriculture, industry and culture through the Kansas State Fair, activities, educational programs and opportunities. The Foundation exists to enrich the unforgettable memories and traditions people experience only at the Kansas State Fair and at the 500+ events on the Fairgrounds year-round.
