Philly Celebrates The Fourth Of July In Grand Style

Huge Turnout For 4th Of July Parade On The Mall

July 4, 2011 12:46 PM

Mall Parade (Credit: John Ostapkovich)

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Independence Day events are underway on the mall.

Patriotism echoed off Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Pavilion, as thousands witnessed a program begun with a Buddhist invocation and ended with Mayor Nutter’s call for an American Education Revolution so we compete on the world stage in the 21st Century.

Maj. General Wesley Craig, who heads the Pennsylvania National Guard, says Benjamin Franklin channeled “We the People” before the phrase was coined, when he found Pennsylvania was defenseless.

“He came up with a voluntary association of militia, and it would be underwritten by a lottery. In a period of weeks, he signed up more than 10,000 men.”

The ceremony led immediately to a parade with more than 4,000 marchers from all over the country.

Reported By John Ostapkovich, KYW Newsradio; Ben Simmoneau, CBS 3

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Huge Turnout For 4th Of July Parade On The Mall

Jude

People must be bored stiff to want to be pushed and shoved in a dense crowd of thousands. Eck! Not me!
Hater

Ben Franklin signed up more than 10,000 “real” men to volunteer to keep the commonwealth safe. We need another man like this to save Philly.