It’s just not the 4th of July without fireworks so, here to help you get in the mood today, are some vintage, 20th century firework advertisements! I think most of these are from the 50s and the 60s.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
New York 4th of July Parade, 1911
And, for those celebrating, please remember this safety tip: lay on ground, light fuse, get away!
by Victor Kalin
I just heard from a friend of mine who is in a Facebook group with a MAD writer that, after the next two issues, MAD will no longer be publishing original material. Instead, it’ll publish reprinted material until it’s subscription responsibilities are fulfilled and then the magazine will cease publication.
Obviously, MAD isn’t the cultural force that it once was but it’s still an American institution. In a time when even having a sense of humor can be a subversive act, MAD will be missed.
There’s just a few more hours to go until the 4th of July!
To help get you in the mood for Independence Day, here are some “American” film posters:
And, of course, it’s just not Independence Day without Captain America!
Have a good and safe Independence Day everyone!
by Roswell Keller
The 4th of July is only a few days away so to help you get in the mood, here are some vintage independence day postcards! Some of these postcards are dated and some of them aren’t but they’re all from the early 20th century and they show that, even a century ago, people enjoyed fireworks on Independence Day.
Check out these patriot postcards:
1906
1908
1913
1913
1914
by George Crichard
by John Newton Howitt
With Independence Day approaching, it’s time to honor Jimmy Christopher. Jimmy was an agent for United States Intelligence, cod-named Operator #5. From 1934 to 1939, Jimmy kept America safe from its enemies as the star of the 10-cent pulp magazine, Secret Service Operator #5. Today, Secret Service Operator #5 is best-remembered for two things: a 13 issue arc in which Jimmy became a freedom fighter after America was conquered by the Purple Empire (a thinly-veiled stand-in for Nazi Germany) and a series of exciting, patriotic covers.
Unless otherwise noted, the covers below are all credited to John Newton Howitt:
by Rafael De Soto
Unknown Artist
Unknown Artist
by Gil Cohen
Artist Unknown
Through the Shattered Lens