Just found this in an old cookbook I have.
"In North America barbecuing was already a big deal in the 1700's. In the southern part of the U.S. it became a standard type of outdoor social event, particularly favored by politicians and almost mandatory on the Fourth of July. In order to get more votes, Southern politicians would hold an Independence Day Barbecue: all the beef you could eat, lots of drinks, a marching band and an agonizingly boring speech. Thanks to the development of television, the political speeches are being sent to us on TV, and you can turn them off. Most barbecues are now boredom-free, but still filled with good eating"
Source: "What's Cooking" Burt Wolf - 1989
"In North America barbecuing was already a big deal in the 1700's. In the southern part of the U.S. it became a standard type of outdoor social event, particularly favored by politicians and almost mandatory on the Fourth of July. In order to get more votes, Southern politicians would hold an Independence Day Barbecue: all the beef you could eat, lots of drinks, a marching band and an agonizingly boring speech. Thanks to the development of television, the political speeches are being sent to us on TV, and you can turn them off. Most barbecues are now boredom-free, but still filled with good eating"
Source: "What's Cooking" Burt Wolf - 1989