Today is the fourth of July – Independence day. So far it has been GREAT. For a start it is a national holiday that gives you a three day weekend, also everyone seems to celebrate quietly at home so the roads are empty and there’s noone in the supermarket. The atmosphere is great though – everywhere is covered in flags and people are really happy to celebrate America’s birthday.
So what’s it all about? Essentially America’s liberation from British rule – or more specifically the rule of George III. A while back I visited the Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania and saw the text of the Declaration. It seems that they weren’t happy campers over here at all. Some of the grievances raised included “For imposing taxes on us without our consent” which seems pretty normal for a goverment but later they get into their stride claiming “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.”Oh well, you win some, you lose some.