Appreciating the Fourth

Today is America’s Independence Day which, according to Wikipedia, is the 185^th day in the Gregorian calendar, the 186^th in leap years.  If you do the math, there are only 180 days remaining until we say, “Hello, 2012!”

Independence from what?  The Kingdom of Great Britain.  The Thirteen Colonies (Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Providence, South Carolina and Virginia) declared their independence during the American Revolution and formed the United States of America. 

If those colonies didn’t do what they did, today’s citizens will still be British subjects paying allegiance to the Queen of England.  In addition, we’ll be speaking with an English accent!  What a lovely thought.

The Fourth of July is a national day and federal holiday in the United States because it commemorates the July 4, 1776 adoption of the Declaration of Independence.  Postal workers get to take a break from delivering mail and Corporate America takes a day off from the work grind to enjoy time with family and friends.

Americans celebrate this occasion big-time with ceremonies, parades, fireworks, picnics, barbecues, baseball games and family reunions.  Supermarkets are busy before this day as people buy choice cuts of meat to cook on the grill.  Fireworks are banned in many places, but that doesn’t stop folks who would like to celebrate with a bang.

Where I live, the weather forecast is extremely warm.  It augurs well for all kinds of outdoor celebrations.  I won’t go overboard expressing my holiday appreciation, but in my heart I’ll simply rejoice for what America means to me.

Thank you, Uncle Sam... and God bless America!