Happy 4th of July

Happy Birthday USA
And thank you to all who serve or have served

On the way to work this morning the overhead digital sign on I95 read...

"You are not a firework, don't drive lit."

Mildly amusing.

Everyone have a SAFE 4th and much thanks to our folks in the armed forces.

Twelve Score and two years ago, a vast experiment was set into motion. An experiment that began with a premise that all are equal no matter their background, their parentage, their wealth, or the like. That they were defined by their liberty, and had a right and duty to act to keep and presere that liberty. Ans that those rights had nothing to do with the fiats and dictates of potentates or princes.

Even with the warts, the blemishes, and the bruises, this experiment remains a zenith to whihc many aspire (or at least use as a measure). Jefferson's words haunt me:

Yes, we did produce a near perfect Republic, but will they keep it? Or, will they, in the enjoyment
of Plenty, lose their memory of Freedom? Material abundance without Character is the surest way to
destruction.

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But, I, for one, still find there's more than enough reason to celebrate. (And have a 2" thick ribeye for the grill tomorrow to prove it.)

happy 4th an stay cool.

Our annual ,small scale, evening of grilling, friends and fireworks tomorrow.
Hope everyone has a fun and safe Independence Day.

"Do they celebrate the 4th of July in England?"

"Of course they do, just like everyone else. But they don't celebrate Independence Day."

How bout calling it "Independence Day" as every country in the world has a "4th of July".

Steel Horse Rider suggested:
How bout calling it "Independence Day" as every country in the world has a "4th of July".

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Nope.

Every other country may experience a 4th day in July, but only here do we celebrate it.

hdwhit said:

Every other country may experience a 4th day in July, but only here do we celebrate it.

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Incidentally, quite a few people in Finland do too. Not because it had any national significance in Finland but as a gesture of cultural appreciation, and a fantastic excuse to have a BBQ. Most people also start their summer vacation in the beginning of July so the 4th not being a national holiday doesn't matter that much.
On a personal level, one of our daughters was born twenty years ago today, she's been well 'americanized' over the years (exchange student in CA for a year etc.etc.) and she loves to fly the American flag so yes, we're definitely celebrating the 4th of July as US Independence Day at the same time.

Happy Birthday, USA!

You too buddy

Steel Horse Rider said:

How bout calling it "Independence Day" as every country in the world has a "4th of July".

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If my old memory isn’t mistaken we used to call it by the formal name of the holiday which is Independence Day. But people are lazy so over the years the shorter July 4th became more popular. As a student of history I’d argue that it’s not a good thing as it minimizes the significance of the holiday. So to many Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Labor Day and Independence Days are days off and excuses to drink or party. The scacrifices that others made for our freedom are trivialized. And I think it’s a horrible thing. In fact I’d argue that it’s contributed to the social unrest that were experiencing, but that’s another thread for a different forum. The important point is that we don’t forget what INDEPENDENCE DAY really is and what it means. As we’ve seeing if we don’t and if we don’t fight for our freedom and INDEPENDECE people will fight to take it away. The First And Second Amendmenrs and even the whole Constitution are under attack and today is a great reminder that our ancestors fought and died for our freedom. If we don’t stand up and say ENOUGH we won’t be free nor have Independence.

Happy Birthday, America! Thank You, Freedom!

Now that I think about it, I do shoot a lot of black powder. Mostly on one night...

Sistema1927 said:

"Do they celebrate the 4th of July in England?"

"Of course they do, just like everyone else. But they don't celebrate Independence Day."

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Isn't this how they do it across the pond?

Be well,be kind,be yourself and be American

Do yourself a favor, and read (or re-read) this: http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/

Special Independence Day thanks for the "signers" and their sacrifices.

Happy Independence Day folks!