Pat Shingleton for July 3, 2012

Philadelphia’s weather on Wednesday will match ours: 93 degrees and thundershowers. As noted in a previous column, James Heintze researched weather for the Fourth of July and noted that in New York City from 1789 to 1855 rain fell on 13 “Fourths.” On July 4, 1860, eight members of the German Fusiliers died from sunstroke in a Charleston, S.C., parade. On July 4, 1874, the New York Herald reported “whole blocks of houses” in the District of Columbia lost roofs when a tornado roared through the town. In Boston on July 4, 1831, The National Intelligencer reported, “The Northern Lights were beautifully vivid at the close of the 4th.” The hottest Independence Days include: Palm Springs and Las Vegas. Schenectady, N.Y., reported an earthquake on July 4, 1806.

Fastcast: Sizzling.