Happy 4th, to my American friends

Happy Fourth of July to all my American friends on GRM!

As a side note -- I am a descendent of United Empire Loyalists -- British citizens who left the US after the declaration and moved to Canada.

Thanks for the birthday wishes.

We all celebrate by showing our neighbors how much we love America. He who spends the most on Chinese fireworks clearly loves America more!

My fireworks were made in Saint Louis, MO, USA. I obvioulsy love Uh-Murica more!

I'm headin to the Sedalia Fair Grounds with my kids to watch the show!

Sedalia.... I have a friend that does one of the shows in Mid-MO, but I dont thin its that one...

EDIT: Franklin County I think. I dunno.

I love America so much I'm smoking a pig and a half's worth of ribs in my smoker and drinking craft beers all day. I've had one cigar and I plan on at least one more. It's one of those days to spend outside and enjoy the finer things in life.

I spent the first part removing the door panel on my car, now I'm mixing random alcoholic beverages.

And looking for last night's Top Gear. Is it wrong to be an Anglophile on independance day?

In reply to ZOO:

Thank you ZOO

A young anchorman on NBC news this morning wished an English lady reporter covering the Prince and Princess's visit to Canada a happy 4th. this morning and it hit him that perhaps he shouldn't have done that.

what a strange hire for NBC... an anchorman that could figure out that he'd berkeleyed up.... all by himself and quickly too

Graefin10 wrote: In reply to ZOO: Thank you ZOO A young anchorman on NBC news this morning wished an English lady reporter covering the Prince and Princess's visit to Canada a hapy 4th. this morning and it hit him that perhaps he shouldn't have done that.

I don't expect that's much of a sore spot anymore. I always chuckle when I read that King George wrote "July 4th, 1776 -- nothing much happened today" (I'm paraphrasing) in his diary.

Of course, in the days of non-instantaneious communications, how would he have known

Thanks, ZOO!

On this lazy day, I happened across the History Channel and its' documentary on the Revolution. There was plenty of info on why your ancestors left for northern climes.

It all worked-out for the best; you got Canada and we got freedom, more or less.

In reply to ZOO:

Yea ZOO, I suspect you're right about it not being a big deal these days.

ZOO wrote: I don't expect that's much of a sore spot anymore. I always chuckle when I read that King George wrote "July 4th, 1776 -- nothing much happened today" (I'm paraphrasing) in his diary. Of course, in the days of non-instantaneious communications, how would he have known

King George was right. July 4, 1776 was a Sunday. Everyone went to church. There is increasing evidence that complete ratification of the Declaration draft happened on the previous Saturday or the following Monday. John Adams himself speculated that July 2 would be a future national holiday so there's a clue right there.

It took six weeks for word to get back to King George. However, he already set the wheels in motion to quash the rebellion anyway.

We should all have nothing but the highest respect for the men who signed that document. Some of them weren't fully convinced but signed it anyway. By doing so, they signed their death warrant.

People think Hancock was vain for signing so hugely. Actually, he wanted King George to see his signature without putting on his glasses. So it was a total ballsy move, not an act of vanity.