The "4th of July" was 1st celebrated in this city, July 8, 1776
Philadelphia
This National League team shares its name with a mountain range
the Rockies
The freshwater this is the state gem of Tennessee, as it was historically found in the state's rivers & streams
a pearl
In 2021 Taste of Country named as country music's Most Powerful Woman of All Time this beloved Tennessee titan
Dolly Parton
An angry mob's near murder of an entire village via beezle-nut juice dunking traumatizes this horrified & helpless elephant
Horton
Sugar cane molasses was distilled into this liquor, a significant part of the "triangular trade" that promoted slavery
rum
Jesus asks if you have a hundred of these animals & one is lost, wouldn't you leave the 99 to find the lost one
sheep
It's no surprise that the "M" in the cosmetics brand MAC stands for this
Makeup
While most of the others didn't sign till Aug. 2, he signed the Declaration of Independence 1st on July 4th
John Hancock
The roster of this MLB team includes Mookie Betts & Freddie Freeman
the Dodgers
An Arizona ruby is actually this other red gem
a garnet
Among those joining this icon for her 50th anniversary at the Grand Ole Opry were Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack & sister Crystal Gayle
Loretta Lynn
"You stay in your place while I sit here and rule", says this turtle king, pulling a serious top 1% job on a poor turtle named Mack
Yertle (the Turtle)
In 1729 & 1751 Britain passed acts aimed at curbing the consumption of this alcohol that originated in the Netherlands
gin
A wise man builds on rock & a foolish man builds on this
sand
Hair color products from this company include Féria, Excellence Creme & Superior Preference
l'Oréal
The United States granted independence to this country on July 4, 1946
the Philippines
In 2022 this team gave 73-year-old Dusty Baker his 1st championship as a manager; he's the oldest skipper to win a World Series
the Astros
During the Han dynasty, Chinese royals were buried in suits of this green gem
jade
As runner-up on the Season 10 finale of "American Idol", country star Lauren Alaina got to sing with her idol, this season 4 winner
Carrie Underwood
Freud said rivalry with the father is basic--for the young'uns in this book, that includes jumping onto his belly
Hop on Pop
Vodka was involved in 1994 as this white-haired Russian leader was found on a D.C. street in his underwear hailing cabs to go get pizza
Yeltsin
This parable ends, "Thy brother was dead and is alive again; and was lost, and is found"
the Prodigal Son
Florence Graham said she got this pseudonym & brand name from Tennyson's poem "Enoch Arden"
Elizabeth Arden
Date of the Sesquicentennial of the United States
July 4, 1926
The Swinging Friar is the official mascot of this team
the Padres
Used as a gem & in ornamental work, its 2-word name is from Latin & Persian for "blue stone"
Lapis lazuli
She said of "Stand By Your Man" that she spent 20 minutes writing it & over 20 years defending it
Tammy Wynette
Pro-environment & perhaps with a savior complex, he "was shortish. And oldish... and mossy", & kinda looked like Wilford Brimley
the Lorax
The Whiskey Rebellion culminated in 1794 among farmers of the Monongahela Valley in this state
Pennsylvania
"A Parable of" this common Mediterranean fruit tree when it "putteth forth leaves" is about the Second Coming
the Fig Tree
CoverGirl cosmetics is Leaping Bunny certified, meaning the company doesn't do this
test on animals
Only president born on the 4th of July was this New England Yankee few would have called a dandy
Calvin Coolidge
Jim Palmer pitched his No. 22 into immortality with this team
the Orioles
Apache people associated this gemstone with the rainbow's end & thought it aided them in battle
turquoise
Breaking barriers in country music, she was Grammy-nominated for her song "Black Like Me" & in 2021, co-hosted the ACM Awards
Mickey Guyton
This title guy gets a death sentence--via beheading!--then overcomes his hoarding & sells his "500 Hats" to the king
Bartholomew Cubbins
In 1923 a beer hall called the Burgerbraukeller in this German city was the starting point of a failed putsch
Munich
Luke features the parable of the publican & a man of this sect that also starts with the letter "P"
Pharisee
The website for this company begun in 1886 has links for "Shop with a Friend" & "Become a Representative"
Avon