In this episode we discuss the Real History of the July 4th Holiday for America's 250th Birthday!

From 1776 to Reconstruction-era Savannah — Frederick Douglass, the South's July 4th boycott, famous birthdays, and a Mars landing. American history podcast, Independence Day, Everything that happened on America's birthday!

Ryan and co-host Julie cover the full history of July 4th — the founding, why the post-Civil War South refused to celebrate Independence Day for decades, how Savannah, Georgia experienced two different Fourth of July celebrations during Reconstruction, and a bonus segment on famous birthdays and events with nothing to do with American independence.

John Adams believed July 2nd was the correct date. Thomas Jefferson, who wrote "all men are created equal," owned more than 600 enslaved people.

Frederick Douglass's 1852 speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” was a demand that America live up to its own founding words, not a rejection of them.

After the Civil War, much of the white South boycotted July 4th for decades.

Savannah, Reconstruction produced two parallel Fourth of July observances

The Beach Institute- Beach Institute African American Cultural Center was a key center of Black civic life in that era.

Famous July 4th Birthdays

• Calvin Coolidge (1872)

• Eva Marie Saint (1924)

• Neil Simon (1927)

• George Steinbrenner (1930) — Bought the NY Yankees

• Queen Sonja of Norway (1937)

• Post Malone (1995) — Syracuse, NY

• Malia Obama (1998) — Eldest daughter of President Barack Obama

Historical Events (Not About Independence)

• 1817 — Erie Canal

• 1855 — Walt Whitman

• 1997 — NASA's Mars Pathfinder lands on Mars

• 2012 — Scientists at CERN announce the discovery of the Higgs boson particle — "the God particle"

• 1971 — Koko the gorilla

🚌 The Safe School Bus Ride! by Ryan P. Maillet

A practical, child-friendly guide to school bus safety — what to do at the bus stop, how to board safely, what to do during the ride, and how to get off without incident. A five-minute read with your child before the school year starts.

Find it at: linktr.ee/RyanPMailletBooks

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Subscribe to The Ryan P. Maillet Show wherever you listen to podcasts and leave a review — it helps other families and history enthusiasts find the show.

All books, episode links, and ways to connect: linktr.ee/RyanPMailletBooks

RPMS006

A parent's guide to summer camp — real stats, how to choose the right camp, prep tips, and handling homesickness at drop-off.

📚 Shop the books: The Safe School Bus Ride — Amazon Kindle & Paperback → https://a.co/d/04oB2G6v

🏠 Sponsor: Evolve Vacation Rental — $200 management credit → https://evolve.com/refer/mailletpropertiesn

🔗 All links: linktr.ee/RyanPMailletBooks

About 14 million kids attend U.S. summer camps yearly, part of roughly 30 million in structured summer programming. Camps increasingly specialize in STEM, arts, and leadership — but cost remains a real barrier for many families, so scholarships and sliding-scale options are worth researching.

Most campers report camp boosted their self-esteem and independence, and alumni often credit camp with improved teamwork and leadership skills. With kids averaging over 200 indoor days a year, camp is one of the few activities that reliably gets them outside and face-to-face with peers. Longer stays (2–4 weeks) tend to produce stronger gains than a single week.

Match the camp to your child's personality, not the brochure — and involve them in the decision, since kids who feel forced into camp struggle more with homesickness. Day camp is a great entry point for first-timers; most kids are ready for overnight camp around age 7–8. Look for ACA accreditation, ask about staff-to-camper ratios, and get the communication policy in writing before enrolling.

Walk through a "day in the life" at camp so expectations are concrete, and normalize the adjustment period. Complete medical forms early, never change medications right before camp, and disclose any needs to staff in advance. A comfort item (photo, stuffed animal) is a smart anchor for first-timers, not a weakness.

Keep goodbyes short and confident — kids pick up on parental anxiety fast. Most campers feel homesick at some point, and it typically resolves within a day or two. Avoid the "Pick-Up Deal" — promising an early pickup if things get hard — since it undercuts a child's ability to push through. Watch for real concern signs: not eating, not sleeping, or anxiety that isn't improving.

What age should kids start overnight camp? Most are ready around 7–8, depending on prior experience with time away from home.

Is homesickness normal? Yes — most campers feel it at some point, usually resolving within a day or two.

Day camp or overnight camp? Day camp is a strong first step for younger or first-time campers; overnight adds independence but needs more readiness.

How do I vet a camp's safety? Check for ACA accreditation, ask about staff ratios and training, and get the communication policy in writing.

Subscribe to The Ryan P. Maillet Show and find all books and links at linktr.ee/RyanPMailletBooks.

Tags: summer camp tips, choosing a summer camp, camp homesickness, summer camp packing list, parenting podcast

In Episode 004 of The Ryan P. Maillet Show, author Ryan P. Maillet and co-host Julie Maillet pull back the curtain on two of Ryan's most personal writing projects: his upcoming novel Peter Marlow and his heartfelt book Walking With You.

The highlight of this episode: Julie reads the Prologue to Peter Marlow on the podcast — giving listeners their first-ever audio preview of Ryan's debut novel. Whether you're a fan of character-driven fiction, a fellow author, or simply someone who loves books, this is a moment you won't want to skip.

Ryan and Julie also open a brand-new listener raffle — leave a review on any Podcast platform or a book review and you'll be entered for a chance to win a signed hardcover book!

In this episode:

• 🎙️ Julie reads the Prologue to Peter Marlow — first listen!
• 📖 Ryan & Julie discuss the inspiration behind Walking With You
• 🏆 New raffle announced — win a signed hardcover book

🎟️ Enter the raffle: Leave a review on any Podcast platform or a book review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, of Goodreads for a chance to win a signed hardcover!

📚 Shop the books: The Safe School Bus Ride — Amazon Kindle & Paperback → https://a.co/d/04oB2G6v

New Hardcover edition: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-safe-school-bus-ride-ryan-maillet/1149799898?ean=9798256368715

🏠 Sponsor: Evolve Vacation Rental — $200 management credit → https://evolve.com/refer/mailletpropertiesn

🔗 All links: linktr.ee/RyanPMailletBooks