Summertime here at ElderSong is looking to be beautiful! Lots of sunshine and the plants loving the warm weather and rain. We have been enjoying the early World Cup matches around North America and the NY Knicks win. What an exciting month for sports!
Looking forward to July, many cheers will be resounding for the winners of the FIFA World Cup on July 19th, and Americans are getting ready for a celebration of the USA’s 250th birthday, with fireworks, cookouts, and patriotic activities in each state for the Nation’s birthday on July 4th. Here are some ideas you can include at your communities to celebrate both events:
Patriotic Sing-Along
Selections can include America (My Country ’Tis of Thee),” “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America,” “This Land is your Land” “Take Me Home Country Roads” “Yankee Doodle, ” You’re A Grand Old Flag.” Pick up red, white, and blue memorabilia, and American flags to wave during the sing-along, especially ‘You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
Bicentennial Reflection
Did anyone from your community experience America’s 200th Birthday in 1976? What memories do they have of the celebration? Have everyone in your group share their favorite ways to celebrate Independence Day.
Hold a Family Patriotic Parade
Invite children and grandchildren of your residents to have a parade for the community. Have them bring bikes, tricycles, strollers, or wagons with patriotic decorations (or offer red, white, and blue streamers and tape for them to use). Have your residents line up to watch: give them Uncle Sam Hats and wave American Flags and banners. Have ice cream bars/sandwiches for the residents and families to share together afterwards to enjoy talking about how their summer is going.
Americana in Art
Have someone present or give a presentation on Norman Rockwell and his art you can learn about him here at the Norman Rockwell Museum website. Host a gallery of his art by framing some prints of his paintings and putting it into your community’s library or common room.
FIFA World Cup Match Watch Parties
Now through July 19th, the USA, Mexico and Canada are co-hosting the World Cup across North America. Find out if certain teams are popular at your community and plan to watch their progress together! Pick up soccer memorabilia and country flags for some of the popular teams at your community to decorate during watch parties. You can find a list of the matches at FIFA World Cup 2026. Teams to watch if your favorites are knocked out early: France, Spain, Argentina, England, Portugal, and Brazil are all expected to perform well. If your community members want to cheer for an underdog, Germany, Senegal, and Japan may be more their style. Be sure to schedule a watch party for the final on July 19th!
Sports Reminiscing Session
Did anyone play soccer as a child or in college in your community? What was their favorite sport to play? Who were your coaches and mentors and how did they help you become a better player? What advice do you still remember from your coaches today? What pre-game or post-game routines or superstitions did you follow?
Share Stories about Coming to America
Did anyone from your community immigrate to the US? Invite them to share with others why they chose to come to the USA. What challenges did they overcome after moving? What is their favorite part of living in the USA now?
Presidential Debate from You Be The Judge
You Be The Judge, Volume 6 includes an interesting court case debate on the Oath of Office for the president on page 5, “So Help Me God.” See what your community decides and how it aligns with the final court ruling.
American Revolution-Themed Movie Nights
Enjoy a patriotic musical such as 1776 or Hamilton. Have your group discuss how the Founding Fathers were portrayed and how the movie depictions compare to how they were taught about our country’s founding and forefathers in school. What was their favorite song or actor from the films? What costumes did you find interesting? How does the change in musical style for storytelling from 1776 to Hamilton change how we think about our Founding Fathers? Is there a particular Founding Father they most admire?
TRIVIA FOR AMERICA’S 250TH
1. How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: 56
The 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress represented the Thirteen Colonies.
2. Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson
Adams urged Jefferson to author the first draft of the document, which was then revised by Adams and Franklin before being given to Congress.
3. The Declaration was drafted by a group known by what name?
Answer: The Committee of Five
The committee was composed of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman.
4. On July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration was approved, which two former presidents died just hours apart?
Answer: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
Adams’s last words were reportedly “Thomas Jefferson still survives,” not knowing Jefferson had already passed earlier that day.
5. Which state is nicknamed “The First State” because it was the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution?
Answer: Delaware
Delaware is known as the First State because it was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution, doing so on December 7, 1787.
6. Which of the original 13 colonies was the last to ratify the Constitution?
Answer: Rhode Island
Rhode Island was the last of the 13 original colonies to ratify the Constitution and become a state in May 1790.
7. Who had the largest and most famous signature on the Declaration of Independence — so famous that his name became a synonym for “signature”?
Answer: John Hancock
Hancock’s large, flamboyant signature became iconic, and John Hancock emerged in the United States as an informal synonym for “signature.”
8. Who was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence, and how old was he?
Answer: Benjamin Franklin, age 70
The youngest was Edward Rutledge from South Carolina at 26 years old. The oldest was Benjamin Franklin at 70 years old.
9. The word “semiquincentennial” is the official term for the 250th anniversary. What does the prefix “sesqui-” mean in the related word “sestercentennial”?
Answer: Two and a half (as in two and a half centuries)
10. Only one person signed all four of America’s great founding documents: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution. Who was it?
Answer: Roger Sherman (of Connecticut)
THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH
“America is a tune. It must be sung together.” —Gerald Stanley Lee
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” —The Declaration of Independence
“You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make a good use of it.” —John Adams
“Freedom lies in being bold.” —Robert Frost
“America’s 250th and FIFA World Cup” was written by Emily Wang. Copyright 2026 Emerald Workshop LLC. All rights reserved. Visit us at www.eldersong.com
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