Independence Day
Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 7:28 pm
By Timothy Rubacky, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Development
Today’s blog has special meaning for all of us involved with the glorious American Queen. It is the very first blog I’ve written since we changed our name to American Queen Steamboat Company in honor of our flagship and a true American Legend. She was built in 1995 and has all the modern amenities, but she also was the first boat built in over a half century that was completely dedicated to replicating the era of the great steamboats of the 1800s not just in every detail of her décor, but also in her external design. She is not a box with a paddlewheel. No, the American Queen is the real deal, complete with an authentic steam power plant. And with her return, American river cruises will never be the same.
Tomorrow the United States celebrates Independence Day and for all of us at the American Queen Steamboat Company, our renaming was our own Declaration of Independence. It was the day that we fully embraced the unique character of the American Queen. She is much more than a riverboat, she is who we are and it was only fitting that our company name reflects all that she is.
Of course, things were a bit different on July 4, 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. For one thing, the steamboat had yet to be invented! What many folks don’t realize is that the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred two days before on July 2 when the Second Continental Congress voted to separate from the mother country. Two days later, the actual declaration was passed. Interestingly, although some signers added their signatures prior to July 4, most didn’t sign the formal document until a month later.
But as we fly the American flag from the American Queen, those distinctions mean little to us. We are incredibly proud of the fact that we are an American company that pays American taxes, employs American citizens, registers its vessel in the United States and has an impact on the economies of the American cities and town we visit. Tomorrow, our guests will be treated to a fantastic fireworks celebration above the sleek St. Louis Arch with cakes, hot dogs, apple pie lemonade and other traditional July 4th fare in abundance.
Of course, each American is unique and everyone has their own special way of celebrating Independence Day. Since 1785, the town of Bristol, Rhode Island has held a parade, the longest continuous parade celebration in the country. On Coney Island, the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held every year since 1916. In Atlanta, they make you run for your supper with a 10K road race held annually since 1970. In New England, the Boston Pops Orchestra has taken the stage at the Charles River Esplanade for a concert and fireworks show since 1973.
Most of our employees will either be attending to our guests on the American Queen or spending the day with their friends and families. There will be picnics, baseball games, laughter and celebration. At the same time, all of us involved with the American Queen Steamboat Company will reflect on the blessings our nation has given us. Only in America could a group of dreamers bring together the passion, the people and the funds to restart authentic overnight steamboat voyages on America’s rivers. So many great Americans have made our company possible and returned the American Queen to her rightful place as the Monarch of the Rivers.
This Independence Day I want to thank all of you who read this blog, have traveled with us, have booked a voyage or are planning to do so. But most importantly, I want to thank my country for giving all of us the chance to realize our dreams.
Today’s blog has special meaning for all of us involved with the glorious American Queen. It is the very first blog I’ve written since we changed our name to American Queen Steamboat Company in honor of our flagship and a true American Legend. She was built in 1995 and has all the modern amenities, but she also was the first boat built in over a half century that was completely dedicated to replicating the era of the great steamboats of the 1800s not just in every detail of her décor, but also in her external design. She is not a box with a paddlewheel. No, the American Queen is the real deal, complete with an authentic steam power plant. And with her return, American river cruises will never be the same.
Tomorrow the United States celebrates Independence Day and for all of us at the American Queen Steamboat Company, our renaming was our own Declaration of Independence. It was the day that we fully embraced the unique character of the American Queen. She is much more than a riverboat, she is who we are and it was only fitting that our company name reflects all that she is.
Of course, things were a bit different on July 4, 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. For one thing, the steamboat had yet to be invented! What many folks don’t realize is that the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred two days before on July 2 when the Second Continental Congress voted to separate from the mother country. Two days later, the actual declaration was passed. Interestingly, although some signers added their signatures prior to July 4, most didn’t sign the formal document until a month later.
But as we fly the American flag from the American Queen, those distinctions mean little to us. We are incredibly proud of the fact that we are an American company that pays American taxes, employs American citizens, registers its vessel in the United States and has an impact on the economies of the American cities and town we visit. Tomorrow, our guests will be treated to a fantastic fireworks celebration above the sleek St. Louis Arch with cakes, hot dogs, apple pie lemonade and other traditional July 4th fare in abundance.
Of course, each American is unique and everyone has their own special way of celebrating Independence Day. Since 1785, the town of Bristol, Rhode Island has held a parade, the longest continuous parade celebration in the country. On Coney Island, the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held every year since 1916. In Atlanta, they make you run for your supper with a 10K road race held annually since 1970. In New England, the Boston Pops Orchestra has taken the stage at the Charles River Esplanade for a concert and fireworks show since 1973.
Most of our employees will either be attending to our guests on the American Queen or spending the day with their friends and families. There will be picnics, baseball games, laughter and celebration. At the same time, all of us involved with the American Queen Steamboat Company will reflect on the blessings our nation has given us. Only in America could a group of dreamers bring together the passion, the people and the funds to restart authentic overnight steamboat voyages on America’s rivers. So many great Americans have made our company possible and returned the American Queen to her rightful place as the Monarch of the Rivers.
This Independence Day I want to thank all of you who read this blog, have traveled with us, have booked a voyage or are planning to do so. But most importantly, I want to thank my country for giving all of us the chance to realize our dreams.