What are "the common objects of our love" – those things St. Augustine said bind a people into a nation? One is the things people celebrate. In the American Holidays series, Jefferson Scholar-in-Residence Andrew Roth, continues his exploration of those things Americans love in common. This episode of American Holidays explores how Americans celebrate freedom. What's the difference between an "official holiday" and an "observance"? We'll explore the origins of Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Juneteenth and the Fourth of July? We'll ask what was Armistice Day? What was Decoration Day and how did it become Memorial Day? What Longfellow poem defined the day? What happened on June 19th , 1865 and how did it evolve into Juneteenth? Finally, before The Star-Spangled Banner what was the American national anthem? We'll rediscover Hail Columbia, America (My Country Tis of Thee) and Yankee Doodle as we chart how Americans celebrate the Fourth of July.

REMEMBER: If you missed previous episodes that's okay because there are NO PREREQUISITES. Each episode stands alone.