Summary

Fourth of July – The family is awakened by exploding gunpowder and firecrackers for the Fourth of July. Pa suggests heading to town. Ma, Mary, and Grace will remain at home, while Pa will bring Laura and Carrie to town. They dress up for the occasion. Speeches are made, free lemonade is given out, and the Declaration of Independence is recited. It makes Laura proud to be an American, to reflect on freedom, and realize that the only king Americans have is God. Pa buys smoked herring for lunch. He brings a gift of firecrackers for the girls from Lawyer Barnes, who is planning a political run.

They then meet up with the Boasts at the makeshift racetrack. Among the events is a wagon race, with one of the wagons being manned by Almanzo Wilder. Wilder’s wagon is...