Note: I did a lot of research on the History of the 4th of July, and I have to say it was really interesting! I've always enjoyed History, both when at school and now and I wish I had learnt more when I was at school, but theres no sell by date to learn new stuff!
Anyway, thats enough of me rambling, hope you enjoy this latest chapter as well as learn a few fun facts about Independance Day!
Chapter Two
The next day, Donatello sat nervously at his table with the other turtles and Monalisa.
Lunch had concluded and it wasn't long before the children were to begin their show-and-tell about Independence Day.
"You feeling okay Donnie?" Michelangelo asked.
"Huh?" Donatello asked "Sure, I'm feeling alright, I'm just hoping the kids put together their project well."
"I'm sure they did!" Leonardo said, "And I'm sure Sonia gave them some help as well!"
Just then Sonia appeared on the stage and cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. She was wearing a baseball cap designed like the American Flag and she was also wearing a red, blue, and white sash across her body with a badge attached that read 'Happy 4th of July'.
Seeing the Chameleon standing there, all the Mutopians stopped talking and turned to face her.
Sonia went slightly yellow with nerves,
"Hi everyone!" she said in a strong voice "Hope you enjoyed your lunch!" she looked around at the crowd and her yellow colour faded as her nerves subsided.
"Now, as the Fourth of July is tomorrow, the younger generation has come up with a special presentation about our upcoming holiday!"
A few murmurs were heard through the crowd both of curiosity and interest.
Tyroth raised an eyebrow ridge and looked at Donatello, as did Leonardo and Raphael.
"This'll be interesting." Raphael commented.
"What you got the kids working on Donatello?" Leonardo asked.
"Well, wait and find out!" Donatello winked.
"And so, without further ado." Sonia announced, "Let me present, Pandora, Kemeko, Freya and Loki and their presentation of Independence Day!"
She gestured to the side of the stage and the four children walked onto it as every applauded.
Donatello bit his lip and crossed his fingers for luck.
As Pandora, Kemeko, Freya and Loki stood in a row on the stage facing the audience, everyone took note of what they were wearing.
Pandora was wearing a Star-Spangled 50's style cocktail dress.
Kemeko was wearing a Star-Spangled jumpsuit.
Loki was wearing a large Uncle Sam outfit, hat, pants, fake beard and all and Freya was wearing Star-Spangled hot pants and a matching tee-shirt.
"Wow! They sure are dressed for the occasion!" Michelangelo commented.
"I wonder if Tania made those?" Kate mused as she looked across to the Panda who was looking rather proud.
"Maybe she did?" she thought.
"Good afternoon people!" Pandora said.
"And welcome to our little presentation!" Kemeko added.
"Of one of our most important holidays in America." Loki spoke.
"Independence Day!" Freya ended.
"Or in other words." The children said in unison "Fourth of July!"
Donatello felt a smile curl on his face as he watched.
"Nice beginning!" he muttered.
Then the children began to speak about the history of Independence Day, they each spoke about their topics.
Pandora as she spoke about the seven Founding Fathers of the United States, Kemeko, Loki and Freya held up posters of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison.
Loki when he spoke about the timeline history, again the three girls held up posters and pictures of the different events that took place.
Such pictures included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson discussing a draft of the declaration of independence including a copy of said declaration.
"A few interesting facts about Independence Day." Freya spoke when it was her turn "Is that in July 1781 Massachusetts became the first state to recognise the 4th of July as an official holiday."
A few gasps were heard in the audience.
"Wow!" Michelangelo said, "I didn't know that!"
"Me neither!" Percy agreed then added under his breath "I wish I paid more attention in class when I was a kid!"
"Another interesting fact is that the White House held its first Fourth of July party in 1801." Freya added.
"Also," she said, "Even though we celebrate the holiday on the Fourth of July, the declaration was actually signed on the 2nd of July, it was only when the document was adopted by Continental Congress it was the fourth!"
"Another interesting fact!" Sarah said.
"Awesome!" Sharky agreed.
"Also." Freya said as Pandora and Loki held up two pictures, Pandora held one up of a turkey, and Loki held up another of a bald eagle.
"There is a myth that holds that Ben Franklin proposed the turkey be the national symbol of America but was overruled by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson who recommended the bald eagle!"
"Wow! Stone me!" Monalisa exclaimed.
"Feelings mutual!" Amber agreed.
Tyroth blinked a few times.
"And we eat turkey traditionally at Thanksgiving!" he said.
Even Donatello looked amazed at the facts Freya brought up.
"I think Adams and Jefferson made a good choice with the bald eagle!" Heather laughed "Can you imagine a turkey as the national symbol of the USA?"
The other Knights laughed and agreed.
Then after Freya was finished it was Kemeko's turn to talk about how the American's celebrated Independence Day.
"When people first celebrated the Independence Day in 1776, some colonists celebrated the birth of their independence by holding mock funerals for the English King George the Third as a way of symbolising the end of the Monarchy's hold on America and the triumph of liberty!" the Asian girl reported "Now, we celebrate the Fourth of July with parades, historical pageants, Fireworks and barbeques!"
Donatello grinned proudly as he watched the presentation and he glanced at everyone watching, many were sitting silent in awe, others leaned forward as they listened and some even looked emotional.
Pandora, Kemeko, Freya and Loki then turned to the audience again.
"Thank you for taking the time to listen to our presentation about Independence Day!" they said together.
"And what better way." Pandora said.
"To end our little Show and Tell." Kemeko said.
"With a song to honour the upcoming holiday." Loki added.
"With the Star-Spangled Banner." Freya spoke.
"Or better known as the National Anthem of the United States of America!" they said in unison, to which they joined hands, and some music was heard from the speakers, and everyone beamed then the children began to sing together in perfect harmony.
"O say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave"
As the children sang, many mouthed along as they knew the song as well, and a few shed tears.
When the song ended and the children took a bow, there was a moment of silence, then the whole mess hall broke into wild applause!
Donatello stood up and clapped and cheered louder than everyone else and he walked up and as the children got off the stage, he hugged them close.
"Well done my students!" he cried "You've made me so proud!"
"Thanks Uncle Don!" Pandora grinned.
"Or should we say Professor Donatello?" Freya asked to which Donatello looked bashful.
"Soak it up!" Loki smiled "You're a great teacher!"
"Yeah!" Kemeko agreed "It's true!"
Donatello smiled again.
"Thanks kids!" he said "But I have to say, you were amazing up there! No doubt the past US presidents are smiling down on you!"
The children looked excited then everyone else came up to congratulate them.
"Well done kids!" Raphael said as he hugged Pandora as well as ruffled the heads of the other three kids, "You did great!"
"I sure learnt new stuff today!" Michelangelo praised.
'Me too!" Percy added and the other Knights agreed.
"Wish I knew more when I was a kid!" Jack laughed flicking each child under the chin affectionately with his finger.
"So proud of you, my grandchildren!" Splinter said bowing to them, and George followed suit.
"For someone who has seen the early days of the celebration in my youth." The old turtle commented "You got the history down to a T!"
"Wow! Thanks Gramps!" Freya said.
George winked.
"If Donatello will let me, I can tell you a few stories of what I saw in my younger days!"
"Oh yes please!" the other children said.
They were aware that George was over two centuries old being the first Mutopian and a Galapagos Turtle, he had seen how the world had changed and they were indeed curious to know what life was like back then.
Donatello looked to George and nodded.
"I think it would be a great idea!" he said "How about we arrange a presentation in class for History lesson? From someone who really was there?"
"Awesome!" the children cheered.
"I would be honoured!" George smiled and winked.
"I'd like to join in as well." Tyroth said.
"Oh?" Donatello asked curiously.
The Dragon nodded.
"Back in Sweden, where I come from." The Dragon said, "We got our own national day."
Freya's eyes lit up.
As she idolised her father, she was eager to hear anything he had to say and what she could learn from him.
"Wow! I'd love to hear about that daddy!" she grinned.
Tyroth looked at his daughter and winked.
"Glad to hear you're eager to learn more about your origins!" he said.
"I can add that to the curriculum as well!" Donatello said, "Though I'll need to learn more from you first Big T!"
"No problem Don!" the Dragon chuckled "But let's take some time to enjoy our holiday first then we can do lesson planning later!"
And Donatello was only too happy to agree.
So the kids have put on a good presentation and the adults have learnt a few things about the Fourth of July!
Donatello is very proud of his students and so he should be!
Also, the National Holiday of Sweden is a fun fact Tyroth told me as Sweden is his homeland and MergingEmperor7 suggested I mention it, so shout out to them!