I saw this plaque today, during my first ever visit to the Georgina Cole Library in Carlsbad.
The bronze plaque adorns a bench in the park-like space in front of the library entrance.
It reads:
DEDICATED TO OUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE FOLLOWED
1776 – 2004
SANTA MARGARITA CHAPTER, NSDAR
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Moments That Made US. That’s the title of a special exhibition now at the Coronado Historical Association museum.
The word US is capitalized for a reason. On this 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, US can stand for both us and the U.S. Unique moments in history help to explain our present-day life.
The exhibition concerns a variety of past events in the United States and Coronado. They are often tied together.
History tends to be created through turbulence. A new country’s revolution and its founding documents, the Mexican-American War, gold rushes, voting rights with the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Amendments, World War II…
Moments That Made US also includes history of the Hotel del Coronado, North Island as the birthplace of naval aviation, the ferry, notable residents…
All of these pieces of history–large and small–have helped make us what we are today.
My favorite part of the exhibition is a silent video loop showing footage of Coronado’s traditional Independence Day parades in the mid 1950s to early 1970s.
There are marching bands, patriotic floats–everything you’d expect on the Fourth of July. Every year: enthusiasm and an appreciation of liberty, but evolving uniquely over the years.
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This amazing community mural is now being displayed in the museum of the Coronado Historical Association!
The patriotic mural, depicting a U.S. flag and bald eagle, is composed of tiles hand-painted by Coronado residents. It’s a colorful part of the exhibit titled Moments That Made US. A variety of displays in the museum celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.
Images painted on the tiles include American presidents, historic figures, and symbols that represent our nation’s ideals and culture. Other images simply show an appreciation for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, particularly in beautiful Coronado.
Just look at it. The extraordinary mural deserves a permanent home. I presented the thought to a museum docent and she agreed.
Why not install it at Coronado’s civic center?
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When hundreds of thousands of people come together for a good time, that’s a very, very big party. An epic party of that size was held around San Diego Bay today, as folks from all over converged on the waterfront to watch the Big Bay Boom fireworks display and celebrate the 250th birthday of America! Not your everyday Fourth of July!
I’ve never seen so much humanity crowded onto the Embarcadero. Even as I left, shortly after nightfall, people were still arriving from seemingly every direction–filling the boardwalks, Embarcadero Marina Park South and North, the steps of the San Diego Convention Center, Seaport Village, the USS Midway, nearby piers, Waterfront Park…
These America 250 photos were taken as I walked south from the Grape Street Pier to the Rady Shell (where a concert featuring all-American music was being held).
People are more interesting than fireworks to me, so my photos mostly focus on those who came down to San Diego Bay for a patriotic party like no other…
As you can see, the new Ringer’s roller skating rink in Seaport Village is now finished. It opened yesterday!
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Walking around San Diego the past week or so, I’ve seen signs that the city is getting ready for the big America 250 celebration. The 250th anniversary of the United States is coming up on Saturday, July 4th–Independence Day!
I’ve been taking photos of things that concern America’s birthday. Here’s what I’ve found so far, including event information you might find useful…
In Old Town:
In Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, an Old-Fashioned 4th of July will include a flag raising ceremony, live music, art, lawn games, a watermelon eating contest, a quilt raffle, and loads of free family fun. The patriotic event starts at 11 am and continues to 3 pm.
In the Marriott Marina:
At the Coronado Ferry Landing:
At the San Diego County Fair:
In Coronado at the VFW:
At a hotel and restaurant in East Village:
I forget where:
In Balboa Park:
In Balboa Park, the House of USA will present America’s 250th 4th of July Celebration! There will be food, dancing, music and patriotic fervor! It all takes places at the International Cottages from 11 am to 4 pm.
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Today, June 14th, is Flag Day.
I enjoyed a leisurely Sunday afternoon in Balboa Park. Could I find anything related to Flag Day as I wandered about the park?
This year there seemed to be no special activities for the day, but I did observe the red, white and blue in various forms…
I knew there would be colorful red, white and blue inside the House of USA at the International Cottages! There was a friendly greeting, too!
I learned they’ll be having a lawn program for the Fourth of July.
Now resuming my walk into the Palisades area of Balboa Park…
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Walking through Seaport Village this morning, I can definitely see the Alamo Flags shop is stocked up and ready for America’s 250th anniversary!
Our nation’s big birthday bash is coming up soon!
Lots of flags, banners and shirts featuring Statues of Liberty, bald eagles, fireworks, patriotic red, white and blue…
A banner has been hung outside the Edward J. Schwartz United States Courthouse in downtown San Diego. It celebrates the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.
Freedom 250 is proclaimed among images of four Founding Fathers. You can see the banner up high overlooking Broadway.
Can you believe Independence Day is now less than a month away?
A special Flag Day Celebration is coming up on June 6, 2026 in Old Town San Diego. What makes it special? This year is the 250th birthday of the United States of America!
The “Legacy of Liberty” ceremony will be held at 5:00 pm at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site at 2510 Juan Street.
I went to the Mormon Battalion’s patriotic Flag Day event last year and it was quite moving. There was stirring music and deserving honorees were recognized. Should you go, you’ll likely see participants in colonial uniforms and attire, much red, white and blue, and plenty of smiles.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
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This big, incredible work of drywall screw art depicting the Statue of Liberty is on display today and part of tomorrow in the hangar deck of the USS Midway Museum. It’s titled Lady Liberty.
Lady Liberty is a work in progress, created by veteran Joe Pisano. It honors all those who’ve served in the United States Armed Forces.
Perhaps you’ve seen other examples of his unique, patriotic drywall screw art here and here.
Lady Liberty will be completed and standing tall at the coming Memorial Day ceremony on Mount Soledad, then will make its way to the San Diego County Fair where it will be displayed in an exhibition hall.
What you see in my photographs is the completed top half. The many drywall screws are installed by hand into the underlying wood, often by people visiting the work of art. Many who participate are veterans.
When completed, dog tags representing those who’ve sacrificed will be mounted near the base of Lady Liberty.
Medal of Honor hero Royce Williams is recognized in a special way. His dog tag is installed next to Lady Liberty’s torch!
A time capsule will also be installed in the work of art, to be opened on July 4, 2076, our nation’s 300th birthday. You are invited to write a letter to be enclosed in the time capsule. Read what’s in my final photograph for details!
