Celebrating 100 Years of Fourth of July at BHG

Take a look back at our skillful patriotic formula , decorations , and craft musical theme from the last hundred .

The very first issuing of Better Homes & Gardens was write in July 1922 , which means that in accession to celebrating America ’s 246th birthday , thisFourth of Julywe’re also celebrating 100 years of BHG . To celebrate , we ’re taking a looking back through the archives at how we ’ve observe the vacation over the past century .

While today we consort Independence Day withpatriotic picnics , ice , anda prominent firework show , it has n’t always been celebrated with sparklers and fireworks . In the early years ofBetter Homes & Gardens , we focused on the patriotism of gardening and reassured our readers during the food shortage that leave from World War II .

better homes and gardens 1927

Credit: COURTESY OF BETTER HOMES & GARDENS

In late X , we tack focus to the more celebratory aspects of the vacation : The 1950s and seventies were all aboutentertaining a crowd , and in 1990 we debut our American flag - themered , white , and gamey sweet divine guidance .

As you ready for this year ’s Independence Day celebrations , take a smell back through our last 100 year of Fourth of July content . You may just find a formula or decor idea to recreate with a modern twirl .

1920s: Homes of Famous Americans

In the 1920s , the varlet ofBetter Homes & Gardenswere fulfill with in - profundity stories and informational substance , so it ’s meet that reporting of Independence Day was a serial publication about the domicile of famous Americans , rather than party ideas or red , ashen , and blue recipe . In the July 1927 subject , we dive into Colonial America with a photographic tour of a 1700s baronial mansion belong to Sir William Johnson , who supported the Iroquois in Johnstown , New York , during a time of unrest in American history .

1930s: The Garden Celebrates Independence

The other issues ofBetter Homes & Gardensfocused heavily on garden content , and this July 1930 article is all about how the ideas feature in the pages of BHG were uniquely American . This issue was published about 15 years after triumph gardening became a necessity in World War I , so Americans had just start garden for fun again .

In honor of the Fourth of July , the piece explain how the typical front yard gardens evolved from garden with European influence into something American . " There they grow – chiliad of quiet , unpretentious little dwelling house where the tangible citizens of the United States populate . Each one occupies its little plot of ground , and the ordering of this ground is our national landscape architecture , " the clause read . " In fact , this receptive front G is peculiarly an American idea . "

1940s: Defense with Food

intemperately - hitting news does n’t run in the pages of BHG these days , but in the forties it was a trust source for information about all thing food and family life . In the other forties , Britain was experiencing a food for thought shortage as a result of World War II . In July 1941 , Americans were n’t plan Independence Day barbecues or fixing elaborate scarlet , white , and blue desserts , they were interested about the food shortage coming to the U.S. We published this clause to ease the world ’s fearfulness and excuse what American elect official were doing to keep food uncommitted at low-priced prices .

1950s: Feast for the Fourth

The July 1958 progeny was all about feeding a gang for easy summer entertaining , and our ' Feast for the Fourth ' included a make - ahead cold crybaby salad and meringue made from a store - bought premix for an easy dessert that could be whipped up the day before .

If you require inspiration for this yr ’s Fourth of July bash , consider recreating these recipes , which can be found on page 88 of the July 1958 payoff , useable in theBHG Insiders archive .

chief Dish : Party Chicken Salad

better homes and gardens 1930

Credit: COURTESY OF BETTER HOMES & GARDENS

Vegetable : Peas with Mushrooms

side : Firecracker Plums , Honeydew Wedges , Twist Rolls

Dessert : Strawberry Ice Cream Meringues and Pink Lemonade

better homes and gardens 1941

Credit: COURTESY OF BETTER HOMES & GARDENS

1960s: Steamboat Sundaes

In July 1961 , we lionize Independence Day with an American classic : Ice cream sundaes . We shared five ways to serve your ice-cream sundae , including a bedight - out banana rent and tips on how to serve inhuman blocks of ice cream using a cake ledgeman tool . These timeless tips can be used for this year ’s Fourth of July celebration — just be sure to wipe out them before it melts !

1970s: Stay-at-Home Summertime

We spend the last two Independence Days celebrating at nursing home to conform to pandemic protocols , but we were surprised to learn this was n’t the first time we ’ve suggested celebrating at home . In July 1975 , we published an clause about how to have your big summer smash at home in your backyard . And while there was no talk of masks or social distancing , we let in many of the same tip we ’ve been using since 2020 , include revise your outdoor furniture , focusing on landscaping , and inviting guests over for a in force time outdoors .

1980s: Americans at Home

Our 1984 Americans at Home column was all about celebrating Independence Day through the lens of another polish . We gave readers an inside look into the base of Mary Limbird , who used her Grecian background to tempt the annual Fourth of July picnic . Her traditional Greek formula — usable on page 104 of the July 1984 issue — like Fasolia Salad and phyllo pastries were Fourth of July staple the neighbors looked forward to each year .

1990s: Star-Spangled Desserts

The 90s ushered in an significant era of holiday at BHG : flushed , blank , and blue desserts . While today we have dozens ofAmerican flag - themed treat , this star - patterned tart was the first one published in our magazine . expend this recipe to re - make this classic dessert for this yr ’s Fourth of July gathering .

2000s: Red, White, and Blue Picnic

One thing miss from the former page of BHG is patriotic decorating – but the amount of DIY interior decoration and crafts in the early 2000s more than makes up for lost time . This 2003 bed cover of picnic ideas features enough red , white , and blue palm to decorate the integral neck of the woods potluck ( and more ) . And while the ideas are moderately dated now , you’re able to still use the main ideas ( like patterned name tatter and cut - out star banners ) to put a modern spin on this year ’s Fourth of July spread .

2010s: Happy Birthday America

Since we ’re lionize the hundredth birthday of BHG , it ’s meet to admit the ' Happy Birthday America ' themed company we switch in 2018 . These ideas admit a confetti cake , birthday streamers , and DIY party cracker – all in red , ashen , and blue , of grade . To throw your own patriotic bash , you’re able to find all of our birthday - themed DIY idea ( and more!)in this solicitation .

2020s: Elevate the Everyday

Our 2020 coverage focalize on host a Fourth of July brawl that ’s " bragging on life and low on stress , " with dim-witted ideas to recreate for any size assemblage . Ourstars and stripes ice cubes(made with pureed raspberries , blackberries , and coconut milk ) were an instant striking , and our readers jazz the simplicity of theAmerican flag sheet pan nachosand melon stack skewers . you could findall the recipes from the July 2021 issueon our website .

better homes and gardens 1958