Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Happy Independence Day

Independence Day as a kid meant fireworks at night and three or four long summer days spent firing off firecrackers, poppers, snakes, and other day works. When my kids were growing up we'd always make a trip to the fireworks stand and let them choose some $$fun$$ things to shoot off. I have to admit, once they lost interest in the fireworks, so did I. These days, if I happen to look out the window and see some fireworks I might watch for a few minutes, but I don't seek them out. 

Independence Day is also the name of a song written by Gretchen Peters and performed by Martina McBride. It's the story of a family living with domestic violence and in the end, the wife sets her house and husband on fire. As she's being hauled off by the police, and her daughter gets sent to foster care, she's apparently gained her freedom. All righty, then. Catchy tune, though.


Independence Day is the name of a pretty entertaining 1996 movie directed by Roland Emmerich. It starred Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, and Mary McDonnell. The plot revolved around aliens whose goal was to invade and destroy Earth. While it has a happy ending, a lot of the earth was destroyed before the aliens were driven out. I'm sensing a rather depressing theme here!


What's the real story behind 'Independence Day'? According to Wikipedia (so it must be true):

"Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States."

That's a bit more like it. My family 'celebrates' the fourth by spending time together and relaxing, enjoying the summer and a day off work. I'm proud to be an American and grateful to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

We'll wrap this post up with a riddle. 

Do they have July 4th in other countries? 

Of course they do. Their calendars don't skip from the third to the fifth. :)  Happy Canada Day (yesterday) and Happy Independence Day on July 4th!




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