Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a holiday commemorating the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. So we eat barbecue, sit around with family/friends, and blow stuff up (fireworks for some).
BUT, during the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies (America) from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence.
John Adams even wrote: “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations .”
Therefore, to never forget the importance of July 2, we completed exercises of 1776 remembrance!
Warm up
- SSH (IC x 13)
- Slow Squats x 13
- Slow Merkins x 13
The Thang – “1776”
1776 reps completed by teams of three. Working as a team complete the following:
- 200 merkins
- 200 jump squats
- 200 American hammers
- 200 Carolina Drydocks
- 200 jump lunges (right and left equals 1 rep)
- 200 LBCs in cadence
- 200 Wide-arm merkins
- 200 Squats
- 176 burpees
For the burpees, Spooky asked Independence Day trivia to the group. Wrong answers meant the group performed two penalty burpees.
Round 2 – mosey to baseball field. “The Battlefield”
Split into team of three PAX. Partner #1 is on the right side of the field performing squats, Partner #2 is on the left side of the field performing flutter kicks. Partner #3 will run the width of the field from Partner #1 to Partner #2. Switch and Partner #2 is now the runner.
When on the right side of the field perform OYO continuous squats. When on the left side of the field perform OYO continuous flutter kicks.
Randomly a firework exploding sound will go off (every 10 – 45 seconds), anyone in the battlefield (not on the sidelines of the field) must drop for five donkey-kicks before continuing across the field.
After 20-25 rounds of The Battlefield, gather at the far end of the field.
Round 3 – “Load the Cannons”
Split into two lines – each line has a slam ball. Bear crawl over the slam ball forward. When the last pax gets the slam ball, he runs the ball to the front of the line. Continue bear crawl until we reach the end of the field.
MARY
No time for Mary. We had Mary during the 1776 reps.
Announcements
Convergence tomorrow on July 4. Workouts at 6pm at Tobacco Road and AMRAP – other workouts are cancelled.
COT
We are all grateful for our independence in America. As Americans we must not forget July 2nd when the Continental Congress approved a resolution of independence . This was the beginning of the fight for independence. Let’s also remember that we are all Americans, and as such, we should work together to find common ground and grow this great nation!
Now let’s go eat barbecue and don’t blow off any fingers on the Fourth!
An interesting fact about July 4th: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.