Heroic astronaut Sally Ride honored at unveiling of her statue at Reagan museum

1. HeroicastronautSallyRidehonoredatunveilingofherstatueatReagan
museum
Her sister tells a crowd that Sally Ride hoped to help make Earth a better place
Bear Ride speaks during a statue unveiling for her sister, Sally Ride, on the
4th of July Celebration at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Tuesday,
July 4, 2023. To celebrate Nation’s 247th birthday, the Reagan Library
hosted a day of family-fun activities and an unveiling of the Sally Ride
statue. Ride is the first American woman to fly in space.(Photo by Andy
Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
A life-size statue of famed astronaut Sally Ride was unveiled at the Ronald
Reagan Presidential Library on Tuesday, July 4, inspiring the patriotic
audience as Ride’s sister, Bear Ride, told the crowd, “Sally’s mission was not
only ‘to space and back,’ but also to open young minds and hearts to the
dedication that can make this planet of ours a better place for us all.”
The intricate bronze statue, now standing on the walkway of the Reagan
Library’s Peace Through Strength pavilion, honors Ride’s legacy as the first

2. U.S. woman in space. An astronaut and physicist, she made history in 1983
when she flew into space on the Challenger shuttle.
Bear Ride said that her sister “was a trailblazer and a hero. Here we are
looking down on our old home in the San Fernando Valley and remembering
and celebrating her.”
Bear Ride and other speakers said they were proud to have the statue in the
Los Angeles area, because Sally Ride, who died in 2012 of pancreatic cancer,
grew up in Van Nuys and Encino. More than a dozen of her family members
and close friends attended the unveiling.
“Her groundbreaking contributions to physics, especially the field of
astrophysics, are unparalleled,” said Steven Barber, a filmmaker and one of
the organizers of the fundraising to create the statue. “She grew up right
around the corner and her spirit is still here.”
President Reagan said on June 18, 1983, “Today marked the launching of the
seventh space shuttle flight. This particular shuttle flight is unique in several
respects. It’s the first space flight of an American woman — Dr. Sally Ride,
another example of the great strides women have made in our country.”
he Reagan Library hosted several Independence Day festivities in addition to
the statue unveiling. Kids in red, white and blue outfits and patriotic face
paint ran around on the library lawn, played carnival games and created
paper craft projects. And if they got tired from jumping in the inflatable
bounce castle or trying to win prizes at the ring toss, there was plenty to do to
cool off, like listening to live music in the shade — or soaking their family
members with water balloons.
Visitors guessed how many jelly beans — Reagan’s favorite candy — were in a
display jar, and others posed with volunteers dressed as famous American
historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Betsy Ross.
The event also featured several singers and musicians, including 14-year-old
Alexis Silva who performed an original song titled “I think I can fly,” inspired
by what Sally Ride’s legacy meant to her. The song ended with cheers from
the friendly crowd. “It’s so great to be out here singing today and honoring
(Sally Ride),” Silva said. “Happy Fourth of July.”

3. The American flag wasn’t always revered as it is today. At the
beginning, it was an afterthought
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In the bedroom of the Betsy Ross House, a
reconstruction of where the upholsterer worked on her most famous
commission, a long flag with a circle of 13 stars hangs over a Chippendale
side chair and extends across the floor. Over the weeks in 1776 needed to
complete the project, Ross would have likely knelt on the flag, stood on it
and treated it more like an everyday banner — not with the kind of
reverence we’d expect today.
“She would not have worried about it touching the floor or violating any
codes,” says Lisa Moulder, director of the Ross House. “The flag did not
have any kind of special symbolism.”
Flags proliferate every July 4. But unlike the right to assemble or trial by
jury, their role was not prescribed by the founders. They would have been
rare during early Independence Day celebrations. Only in the mid-19th
century does the U.S. flag become a permanent fixture at the White House,

4. scholars believe; only in the mid-20th century was a federal code
established for how it should be handled and displayed; only in the 1960s
did Congress pass a law making it illegal to “knowingly” cast “contempt” on
the flag.
The flag’s evolution into sacred national symbol, and the ongoing debates
around it that inspire so much passion and anger, reflect the current events
of a given moment and the country’s transformation from a loose
confederation of states into a global superpower.
‘AN AFTERTHOUGHT’
“The flag was really an afterthought,” says Scot Guenter, author of “The
American Flag, 1777-1924” and a professor emeritus of American Studies at
San Jose State University. In the beginning, Guenter says, the Continental
Congress was more concerned about developing a “Great Seal” because it
was needed for papers it would issue.
Congress passed its first flag act on June 14, 1777: “Resolved, that the Flag
of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and
white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a
new constellation.” But the flag is otherwise peripheral to the country’s
beginnings.
A spokesman for Independence Hall in Philadelphia says no records exist of
a U.S. flag being present for the signing of the Constitution in 1787, or any
indications that a national flag would have flown during the following
decade at what is now called Congress Hall — a decade when Philadelphia
was the country’s capital. Researchers at George Washington’s home have
no evidence that the flag was displayed there in his lifetime. (Volunteers
there now regularly raise and lower U.S. flags, which are sold at the gift
shop as having “flown over Mount Vernon”).
According to the White House Historical Association, no precise date exists
for when the flag first had a permanent home at the presidential residence.
Researchers at the historical association say the best guess is June 29, 1861,
early in the Civil War, when President Lincoln dedicated a flagpole on the
South Grounds.

5. The Civil War, followed by the country’s centennial in 1876, helped
mythologize the flag. Americans were in the mood for a good story, and
William J. Canby, grandson of Betsy Ross, had one. In a speech given to the
Pennsylvania Historical Society, Canby drew upon family memories in
narrating the quiet, heroic tale of Betsy Ross, who had died little known
beyond her immediate community.
“As an example of industry, energy and perseverance, and of humble
reliance upon providence, though all the trials, which were not few, of her
eventful life, the name of Elizabeth Claypoole (her married name at the
time of her death) is worthy of being placed on record for the benefit of
those who should be similarly circumstanced,” Canby stated.
LEGEND OUTWEIGHS FACT
The Ross House bills itself as “the birthplace of the American Flag,” but its
origins are uncertain. We have no definitive account. Many credit Francis
Hopkinson, a congressman from New Jersey, but others, including Ross,
may have added details — and, unlike the Declaration of Independence, we
have no original artifact. Whether Ross or another produced the first one,
its ultimate destination is unknown.
“We think it would have ended up on a ship mast, to signify that it was an
American ship,” Moulder says.
Ross’ place in history also remains in question, even among government
institutions. An essay entitled “The Legend of Betsy Ross,” on the website
for the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, says her tale is “shrouded in
as much legend as fact,” with no substantial evidence of her involvement.
Says the museum: “While it makes for a nice story, sadly, it is most likely
false.”
Ross, who died in 1836, left behind no diary or contemporary accounts of
her whereabouts, officials at the Ross House acknowledge. But she was very
much a real person who produced various flags before and after the alleged
time she was approached by a commission that included George
Washington and asked to sew a flag to represent the new country. Officials
at the Ross house have no direct proof of Washington contacting Ross in
1776, but they note that a ledger unearthed in 2015 revealed Washington

6. had engaged in business two years earlier with Ross and her husband and
fellow upholster, John Ross.
“We know that Washington wanted the Rosses to make bedrooms curtains
for his home in Mount Vernon,” Moulder says. “And curtains are the kind
of job that Betsy would have taken on.”
As the country grew more nationalized and nationalistic, Ross was added to
the early pantheon and the flag’s presence expanded like so much territory
across the continent — into state ceremonies and buildings, sporting
events, schools and private homes.
THE FLAG TAKES CENTER STAGE
In the midst of fierce labor battles and rising fears of immigration, the
minister Francis Bellamy composed the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892. It was
tied to the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ landing but also, as
historian Richard White has written, addressed “a time of intense social
conflict in an increasingly diverse nation” and was intended ”as a hopeful
affirmation of America’s future.”
Throughout the 20th century, regulations were proposed and enacted. The
first national flag code was drafted in 1923 and signed into law by President
Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II, with recommendations on
everything from how to salute the flag to how to carry it. In the mid-1950s,
President Dwight Eisenhower endorsed legislation adding “under God” to
the Pledge of Allegiance, a Cold War action with origins 20 years earlier.
“In the 1930s, you had conservatives arguing that the New Deal represented
slavery and that the counterpoint was freedom under God,” says Kevin M.
Kruse, a professor of history at Princeton University whose books include
“One Nation Under God,” published in 2015. “So there was a corporate-
fueled drive against the regulatory state and it takes on religious tones. In
the 1950s, that gets appropriated by the anti-communists.”
Burning American flags dates back at least to the Civil War. But only in July
1968, in response to Vietnam War protesters, did Congress pass legislation
making it illegal (the Supreme Court overturned the ban in 1989) and
adding other restrictions against “publicly mutilating” the flag. Three

7. months later, the radical activist Abbie Hoffman was arrested for wearing a
Stars and Stripes shirt, charges later dropped on appeal.
“He showed up in the shirt for a meeting of the House Committee on Un-
American Activities,” says Mark Kurlansky, author of “1968: The Year That
Rocked the World,” a social history. “He just thought it would be funny.”
Last month, the Biden administration hosted a Pride Day gathering on the
White House South Lawn and hung a Pride Progress flag between U.S. flags
on the Truman balcony. Rep. Mike Collins, a Georgia Republican,
denounced the prominence of an “alphabet cult battle flag.” Other
Republicans alleged that Biden officials had broken federal regulations,
which call for the American flag to be “at the center and at the highest
point” when grouped with other flags. Defenders of Biden noted that a U.S.
flag was flying above from atop the White House.
“The flag is so important because it helps define what we believe in. You
have Democrats and Republicans trying to attach meaning to it,” Guenter
says. “The flag can intersect with issues of gender and race and sexuality.
There’s so much there to think about, and it reveals so much about who we
are.”
'Willing to wait as long as it takes:' Sheetz drops gas prices to $1.776
on Fo 'Willing to wait as long as it takes:' Sheetz drops gas prices to
$1.776 on Fourth of Julyurth of July

8. LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Declaring independence from high gas
prices.
Sheetz is celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with a special offer for
customers.
The gas station chain shared that it is reducing gas prices to $1.776 on
Tuesday. The price reflects the year the Declaration of Independence was
signed.
Customers at the Madison Height Sheetz said it was a peaceful way to
celebrate the holiday.
The lines were long and customers sometimes waited an hour to fill up their
tank.
People like India Booker said it is mostly worth it because "you can't beat"
that price and other customers agreed.

9. “We’ve been in line for about two minutes or so but we’re willing to
wait in line as long as it takes I mean for that cheap of gas,"
Christina Withers said.
Some customers even went to the gas station to fill up multiple times.
Raymond Patillo said that it was a blessing.
"Because by me having more than one vehicle it sure did save my
pocket a lot," Patillo said.
The promotion began at 12:01 a.m. and will last all day or as long as
supplies are available. The price is available at all of the company's
locations across the country.
Joey Chestnut remains hot dog eating champ. Here's how many calories he
consumed during the event.
Another Fourth of July means another round of competitive hot dog eating
— and lots of calories consumed.
After stormy weather delayed the men's portion of Nathan's Famous Hot
Dog Eating Contest Tuesday, Joey Chestnut maintained his winning title by
consuming 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes at the event on Coney
Island in Brooklyn, New York.
Last year, Joey Chestnut claimed his 15th victory by devouring 63 hot dogs
and buns. In 2021, he gained the title of hot dog eating world champion
after setting a record of 76 hot dogs and buns.
The women's record is 48.5 hot dogs and buns, held by eight-time champ
Miki Sudo. Sudo took first place this year with 39.5 hot dogs and buns.
Here's the nutrition breakdown from the latest weiner winner.

10. How many calories does Joey Chestnut consume?
According to the nutrition facts of Nathan's products, a serving size of one
Original Coney Island natural casing beef frank contains 170 calories
(according to the company's website; other varieties vary) and one of
Nathan's restaurant style buns contains 130 calories.
That means for the 62 hot dogs and buns Chestnut gobbled down this year,
the calories of the franks would have equaled 10,540 and the buns added
another 8,060 calories — for a grand total of 18,600 calories consumed.
Last year, with 63 hot dogs and buns Chestnut consumed an even higher
total of 18,900 calories. That's nearly six times the recommended daily
average for a man his age and size.
For his record-setting year with 76 hot dogs and buns, his total would have
reached a whopping 22,800 calories!
Nathan's natural casing beef franks also include 16 grams of total fat and
480 milligrams of sodium per dog — so one hot dog accounts for about 21%
of your daily recommended values for each.
With 62 franks eaten this year, Chestnut's total fat and sodium intake
equalled 992 grams and 29,760 milligrams, respectively.
Diets higher in sodium are associated with an increased risk of
developing high blood pressure, a major cause of stroke and heart disease.
 What does a hot dog eating contest do to your stomach? Experts detail the
health effects of competitive eating.
How do competitive eaters consume so much?
A normal eater has a stomach that feels full after consuming about a liter or
a liter and a half's worth of food, whereas competitive eaters learn to stretch
and relax their stomachs to fit in more.

11. They do this by eating large amounts of low-calorie foods and liquids
including water, diet soda, watermelon and cabbage.
The stretching does not go on indefinitely, however. As with any
competition, there will be losers, and all competitive eaters will eventually
reach their limit — and they might not feel too good afterwards.
The side effects of such enormous binges vary based on the individual and
the food being eaten, but as CBS News has previously reported, side effects
of competitive eating can include nausea, painful gas, vomiting, heartburn
and diarrhea. More serious side effects could include choking, esophageal
inflammation and potentially even stomach rupture.
In a statement to CBS News Monday, Major League Eating, the world body
that oversees professional eating contests — including Nathan's Famous
Hot Dot Eating Contest — says all of its events adhere to "strict safety
protocols," including having an emergency medical technician present at
events and ensuring participants are 18 years of age or older.
"Do not try speed eating [at] home," the group warns on its website.
Amy Kraft contributed reporting. This article has been updated to correct
the amount of sodium in that hot dog variety.
Fiona Phillips: Presenter reveals she has Alzheimer's at 62
Fiona Phillips has said she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's
at the age of 62.
The journalist and broadcaster discovered she had the disease a year ago
after suffering months of brain fog and anxiety, she told the Daily
Mirror.
Phillips, former host of ITV breakfast show GMTV, said dementia had
"decimated" her family after her mother, father and uncle also had the
disease.
She added she was "getting on with it".
The mother of two, who is a columnist for the Mirror, told editor Alison
Phillips that she was trying to "carry on" as normal, but wanted to share her
story to help others.

12. She said that despite fearing she would one day be diagnosed with
Alzheimer's, it had still come as a shock when her doctor said her test
results showed early stages of the disease.
"It's something I might have thought I'd get at 80", she says. "But I was still
only 61 years old."
The presenter said she felt "more angry than anything else" because the
disease had already had such an impact on her family life.
"My poor mum was crippled with it, then my dad, my grandparents, my
uncle. It just keeps coming back for us," she said.
 New Alzheimer's drug slows disease by a third
 Calls for support for younger people with Alzheimer's
 HRT could cut Alzheimer's risk in some women
Phillips said she was undergoing trials at University College Hospital in
London for a drug called Miridesap, which could potentially slow the effects
of the disease.
She also described how her husband Martin Frizell, the editor of ITV's This
Morning programme, had been helping her take the medication.
She said: "Poor Martin, he has been injecting my stomach every day, he has
been brilliant.
"The drugs are brand new and they're expecting a lot from this and so am
I."
In the meantime, she said, "I am just getting on with it, I'm not taking
notice of it.
"I'm just doing what I normally do. I don't want to not work, be sitting
around playing with my fingers, or watching telly. I just like doing things."
Phillips previously anchored GMTV for more than a decade from 1997 and
took part in the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2005.
She has spoken publicly about her parents' battles with Alzheimer's in the
past.
Kate Lee, chief executive at the Alzheimer's Society, praised Phillips'
decision to share her diagnosis, which raised "much-needed awareness of
dementia".
Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "It takes
such courage to go public with a diagnosis and Fiona knows better than
most just how much good that can do.
"Awareness is vital and Fiona's bravery will help untold people who are
going through their own dementia journeys."
She added that there were around 70,800 people under 65 with dementia
in the UK

13. How to spot the early signs of Alzheimer's
According to the NHS, in the early stages, the main symptom of
Alzheimer's disease is memory lapses. People may:
 Forget about recent conversations or events
 Misplace items
 Forget the names of places and objects, or have trouble thinking of the right
word
 Ask questions repetitively
 Show poor judgement or find it harder to make decisions
 Become less flexible and more hesitant to try new things
 Show signs of mood changes, such as increasing anxiety or agitation, or
periods of confusion
For details of organisations and resources that can help with information
and support on Alzheimer's disease and dementia, see the BBC Action
Line website.