07.04.13 — On the Fourth of July

Thursday, July 4, 2013 — Independence Day 

Puzzle by Barry Franklin and Sara Kaplan / Edited by Will Shortz

THOMAS JEFFERSON, JOHN ADAMS, JAMES MONROE (17A, 24A and 36A. One of the first five 49-Acrosses), PRESIDENT (49A. See 17-, 24- and 36-Across) and THE FOURTH OF JULY (57A. Date on which 17-, 24- and 36-Across) constitutes the interrelated group of this July 4th Thursday crossword.  Interesting to note that Jefferson and Adams died on the same day 50 years to the day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, thereupon Monroe died five years later.   

Other — EDWARD I (27A. English king nicknamed Longshanks), JEWELERS (36D. Chain stores?), JU JITSU (18D. Sport practiced in white attire), NO CATCH (34D. Baseball umpire’s ruling), GAS RANGE (11D. Pilot’s place), TUSCANY (41A. Birthplace of the Italian Renaissance).

———————— 

Click on image to enlarge, 
or Right click and select “Open Link in New Window".

Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.