Independence Day — The Fourth of July is celebrated as Independence Day, in honor of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It is considered to be the birthday of the United States of America, and is celebrated with parades, fireworks, speeches, patriotic music and the American flag.

The Founding Fathers — If you are taking time out from your 4th of July festivities for some quiet reading, why not find out more about the Founding Fathers? These titles feature the most prominent of these fascinating men without whose military, intellectual, political, and philosophical talents we might not be celebrating today.

Summer Reading Lists – A collection of school reading lists for 2011.

On Take Your Dog to Work Day, “businesses, animal shelters and pet-care professionals from around the world will work together to better the lives of shelter dogs everywhere. Thousands of businesses will open their doors to employees’ furry, four-legged friends on this day in celebration of the great companions dogs make and to promote pet adoption.” If you are thinking of getting a dog, please consider adopting a lovable pup from your local shelter.

Juneteenth, also called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. June 19th was chosen because it was on this day in 1865 “that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.” General Granger read aloud General Order No.3 which stated, “The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer.”

Celebrations of Juneteenth waned during much of the twentieth century, but there was a resurgence of interest beginning in the 1980s’s. Juneteenth is now an official state holiday or observance in 39 states.

The Wimbledon Championships hosted by the All England Lawn Tennis Club, begin on June 20th and continue through July 3rd. For two weeks, the world’s best tennis players will compete for one of the sport’s most illustrious crowns. This year’s tournament is even more significant as it marks Wimbledon’s 125th anniversary. Whether you are a tennis fanatic or a casual fan, Wimbledon never fails to thrill.

“Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language” — Henry James.

Summer officially starts at 5:16 PM on June 21st, but unofficially, summer is already here. Despite the unseasonable weather, summer events and activities are well underway. And the best is yet to come, with days at the beach, backyard barbecues and Fourth of July celebrations to look forward to. So, check out our summer guide and heat up your summer.