July 4 Fireworks, Concert Won't Get National Telecast

SONG OF THE DAY: "For Me This Is Heaven" by Jimmy Eat World

Good morning, Beacon Hill! Here are five things you need to know today, Tuesday, June 18:

1. NO LONGER NATIONAL: In case you missed this, the annual 4th of July Boston Pops concert and fireworks show will not be televised nationally on CBS for the first time in 20 years due to declining ratings. It will still be broadcast locally on WBZ.

2. THE FINAL DEBATE: Ed Markey and Gabriel Gomez are set to tussle in their final debate before the June 25 U.S. Senate special election. Here's our preview here.

3. GET THE PATCH NEWSLETTER: Have you signed up for the Beacon Hill Patch Daily Newsletter yet? Each morning you can get Beacon Hill Patch news delivered directly to your e-mail inbox. It's totally free, so if you like what you read here, sign up now!

4. THIS DAY IN HISTORY: The day after the Senate followed the House of Representatives in voting to declare war against Great Britain, President James Madison signs the declaration into law--and the War of 1812 begins. The American war declaration, opposed by a sizable minority in Congress, had been called in response to the British economic blockade of France, the induction of American seaman into the British Royal Navy against their will, and the British support of hostile Indian tribes along the Great Lakes frontier. A faction of Congress known as the "War Hawks" had been advocating war with Britain for several years and had not hidden their hopes that a U.S. invasion of Canada might result in significant territorial land gains for the United States.Information courtesy of History.com.

5. TODAY'S FORECAST: Partly sunny in the morning followed by a chance of thunderstorms, high of 74. Mostly cloudy tonight, more chance of thunderstorms, low of 58.