150 years ago in The Sun

July 6: The seventy-third anniversary of the national birth-day of our Independence passed off very quietly so far as Baltimore was concerned. The city scarcely ever presented a more quiet appearance. Nearly all the places of public business were closed, and by nine o'clock the streets appeared to be almost deserted.

100 years ago in The Sun

July 5: TWAS A GREAT FOURTH -- The glorious Fourth of July, more glorious since Admiral's Schley's victory over the Spanish fleet on the third of July of last year, was duly celebrated in Baltimore yesterday. Possibly not since the national holiday was established was there more widespread and enthusiastic celebration. It was a beautiful day -- warm, but a good breeze tempered the heat of the sun.

50 years ago in The Sun

July 5, 1949 -- Baltimore, in a manner all its own, celebrated Independence Day yesterday with bubble gum, balloons and a handful of illegal firecrackers. And, of course, parades. And soldiers and elaborate neighborhood displays. The bubble gum was distributed by an incongruous Santa Claus during the Dundalk parade.