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OAKLAND, Calif. – Bay Area residents marked a major milestone this Fourth of July, combining local heritage with national pride as the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary.<\/p>\n
In Oakland, the historic Oakland Municipal Band kicked off its season with a free patriotic concert at Lakeside Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The ensemble has been performing at the exact same location on Independence Day since 1912.<\/p>\n
What they’re saying:<\/p>\n
“Happy 250th! Oakland and America,” said lifelong resident and event co-organizer Lisa Ruhland, who attended dressed in red, white, and blue.<\/p>\n
Organizers noted that the performance, filled with traditional Americana, also highlighted the region’s diverse roots.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Just listen to the names of the composers,” said Lisa Hire, vice-chair of the Friends of the Oakland Municipal Band. “They reflect the immigrant nature of America.”<\/p>\n
Dig deeper:<\/p>\n
Across the estuary in Alameda, crowds gathered aboard the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1943, has a legacy deeply intertwined with both American military history and space exploration.<\/p>\n
The ship famously served as the prime recovery vessel for the Apollo 11 astronauts in 1969 after they completed the first moon landing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Today, the museum showcases its modern history alongside its roots: a model of the original 1775 revolutionary-era USS Hornet\u2014a small, 10-gun sloop\u2014is on display.<\/p>\n
“We are celebrating community and the history of the ship,” said Russell Moore, the museum’s chief experience officer.<\/p>\n
The shipboard event balanced education with classic holiday recreation, allowing families to explore the historic flight deck before winding down with games of cornhole overlooking the San Francisco Bay.<\/p>\n
The Source: Interviews with East Bay community members celebrating the U.S. semiquincentennial<\/p>\n
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