There was another first for me while living in the U.P. The July 4th holiday was extended 24 hours to a two-day affair. Why? Wherever I have lived, I’ve always celebrated our Independence Day on the fourth of July, not the fifth. We had a nice cookout and fireworks with friends and family on the fourth.

I woke up the fifth ready to start a new week. But I found the library was closed and the post office cages were closed. Not a holiday anywhere else, but it was here. Will there be a 48-hour holiday next year? I wonder.

In case you’re interested, historical data indicates that the framers actually signed the Declaration of Independence July 2, 1776. Know why? Ben Franklin and John Hancock didn’t want to work on Sunday.

Don Howe

St. Ignace