Beyond the commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, July 4 is now a celebratory time of fireworks, barbecues, camaraderie and nostalgia-laden memories. As Chair of the World Cup Orlando 1994 Bid and Host Committee, I can’t help but remember when the most significant international lovefest Orlando ever hosted spilled over into nonstop parties for five weeks.
As Central Florida embraced soccer, the world’s most popular sport, global media reported about the last party at Church Street in downtown Orlando on July 4. The Wall Street Journal wrote, “The U.N. should send observers to see how it’s done.