Happy American Indepdence Day!

Happy American Indepdence Day!

The United States declared indpendence from Great Britain 228 years ago (in 1776). However, after a 7 year revolution for indpendence, the United States officially won its independence from Great Britain with the Treaty of Paris 221 years ago (in 1783).

The United States has had two governments in those 221 years. The first government -- under the "Articles of Confederation" -- was brief, lasting only from 1783 - 1789, a measly 6 years. The second and current government -- under the "Constitution of the United States" -- began in 1789 and continues to this day, or 1789 - Present. So, the current government of the United States is 215 years old this year! This makes it the oldest currently functioning government on Earth!

So, the United States turns 221 years old this year, and the current U.S. Government turns 215 years old this year.

A Little Background About Our Mother Country: England came into existence in 1066, when the Anglo and Saxon tribes were united through warfare under William I, who would become the first King of England. Scotland came into existence in 1034, when the Pict and Scot tribes were united through warfare under Duncan I, who would become the first King of Scotland. England and Scotland merged to become Great Britain in 1707, and then Great Britain merged with Ireland to become the United Kingdom in 1801. Though most of Ireland would break away after World War II to become an independent country, the United Kingdom -- of the four kingdoms of England, Scotland, Wales (which was once part of England), and Northern Ireland -- continues to exist today.

I think that learning about the country that the United States came from is as important as learning about the United States itself. After all, what better way to learn insight about a person than to study their parents as well?

Time to break out the BBQ, hot dogs, and fireworks! God bless the U.S. & her allies! I also ask God to bless democratic republics, the free market, and education. May everone on Earth one day have all three!

Note: I know this is about 8 hours early for everyone in the U.S. itself, but there are Americans all over the world, so for some it's already American Indpedence Day!

I'll raise a glass to you and yours, ThunderCloud.

Here's to the US, founded in optimism and hope for a brighter world. It has withstood attack from without and attack from within, it has endured and it has grown stronger. For all it's faults, and despite the times it has stumbled and faltered as it has travelled through dark places, it has stood for the principles of democracy and freedom, and it has shown the world that patriotism need not be a tool of the cynical. For hope, for courage, for liberty and for friendship...

...and, of course, for Frasier ...

I salute you.

*sigh*

Its 03/07.

Come back to me and tell me why you deserve to celebrate a holiday of freedom when you are so readily able to give up what has been fought for.

We know it's early, Nerdling, but TC made a good point about Yanks Around The World.

Besides, I think Independance Day is more about remembering the past than bemoaning the present, isn't it?

C'mon, have a Jack Daniels and watch the fireworks. The Bush junta will still be there tomorrow.

Come on, Nerd! I didn't vote for any Patriot act! Give a little credit to Thundercloud for the spirit in which his good-natured wish was given.

The Grand experiment which is The United States of America is an honorable one, as honorable as Government CAN be that is.

Let's drop the Nationalistic B.S. for now and ask simply that people treat each other as they would have others treat themselves.

Ah, has it been that long since our colonies revolted in the west!
Im only kiddin'.

Happy July 4th

Yup, for the poor soldiers in Iraq, its already the 4th.

The nice thing to remeber about this day: the Bush crime family can be removed because of those documents wrotten so long ago. Elections come soon, and he is getting VERY desperate, which points he might not be able to steal the election like he did before, seeing how many states are outlawing the electronic voting machines.

There is still hope, if the right things can happen.

I am preparing to scare my neighbors silly with my own fireworks display

I already upgraded my avatar and signiture for the weekend.

Now if you would excuse me I have to put firecrackers in watermelons.

Wow, I didn't expect any critics for a holiday like this one.

Freedom is a journey that never ends, not a destination. No society, system of government, or individual will ever be perfect. But freedom is the ability to work every day towards the "liberty and justice for all" that we all hope for.

I'm proud to be an American, and I love the United States. But I also tip my hat to all freedom-loving countries (such as our British friends, whose English Common Law is the basis for virtually all modern democratic societies ).

And to those who say nationalism is a bad thing, loving your home country does not mean that you're supposed to hate the other 189 countries in the world... that's just a myth, really.

And, whether you're an American or not, I invite you to read about my all-time favorite document -- the Constitution of the United States!
www.constitutioncenter.org...

May sound a little corny but I had to post this. Can't help but get saddened at the direction this country is going. Hope you like it.


HELLO . . . REMEMBER ME?

Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star
Spangled Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your
flag -- the flag of the United States of America.
Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might
talk it over with you -- because you see it is about
you and me.

I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides
of the street to watch a parade and naturally I was
leading every parade, proudly waving in the breeze.
When your Daddy saw me coming he immediately removed
his hat and placed it against his left shoulder so that his
hand was directly over his heart ... remember?

And you, I remember you. Standing there straight as a
soldier. You didn't have a hat but you were giving the
right salute. Remember little sister? Not to be outdone,
she was saluting the same as you with her right hand
over her heart ... remember?

What happened? I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I have
a few more stars since you were a boy. A lot more blood
has been shed since those parades of long ago.

But now I don't feel as proud as I used to. When I come
down your street you just stand there with your hands in
your pockets; I may get a small glance and then you
look away. I see the children running around and
shouting they don't seem to know who I am. I saw one
man take his hat off, then look around. He didn't
see others with theirs off so he quickly put his back on.

And what about that night at the baseball game? When
they played the Star Spangled Banner and I waved so
proudly in the breeze -- nobody bothered to sing. They
stood up alright as a sort of mild patriotic gesture but
then they talked among themselves about the game and
the weather. But they didn't sing; I felt hurt.

Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have you forgotten
what I stand for and where I've been -- Anzio,
Guadalcanal, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the
many countries where our Armed Forces have been
stationed as Peace Keepers. Take a look at the Memorial
Honor Rolls sometime, of those who never came back
to keep this Republic free. When you salute me, you
are actually saluting them. One Nation Under God.

I may not be coming down your street for a long time.
It seems that patriotic parades are a thing of the past.
But when I do, won't you do me a favor? Stand up
straight-- place your right hand over your heart
-- and if they play the Star Spangled Banner, sing
out loud and clear. I'll salute you by waving back.
Show me that you remember!


[edit on 4-7-2004 by cccchunt]

Originally posted by cccchunt
May sound a little corny but I had to post this. Can't help but get saddened at the direction this country is going. Hope you like it...

Nice! I have three flags hanging in my living room -- the United States, the State of Texas, and the Texas Longhorns! I also have a reproduction of a Vah Gogh painting ("Starry Night"), and a poster of Anna Kournikova in a tube top & skirt... hey, I'm only human!

Originally posted by TPL
Ah, has it been that long since our colonies revolted in the west!
Im only kiddin'.

Happy July 4th

Thanks for cutting us loose !

And it's pronounced A LOOM IN UM not AL YOU MIN EE UM

That accent sounds sexy on the ladies tho'

Peace

While we celebrate independence day today, let us not forget we should have celebrated the day of enslavement 2nd March, 1867 and the effectual end of true freedom in the United States.

True freedom is where you are free because of yourself.

Currently we are only free as the Federal Government dictates.

As other members and I write freely in this website, i can only say............

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!!

Heh did you know that technically the WELSH still own New York! When the UK recognized the USA for the first time the Welsh refused to sign away their ownership of New York! fancy that technically new York City is a city full of Rugby Playing Sheep ****ers, sorry hearders!

Happy Indie Day you Yanks have a beer on me!

Originally posted by oddtodd

Originally posted by TPL
Ah, has it been that long since our colonies revolted in the west!
Im only kiddin'.

Happy July 4th

Thanks for cutting us loose !

And it's pronounced A LOOM IN UM not AL YOU MIN EE UM

That accent sounds sexy on the ladies tho'

Peace

Yeah but theres nothing more scary than a little british girl. They penetrte your soul by looking at you and there voice wraps around your neck giving chills

Yeah but theres nothing more scary than a little british girl. They penetrte your soul by looking at you and there voice wraps around your neck giving chills

Agreed , but I hear those Aussie gals love the American accent( or lack of), Not to bad being atractive to an original English penal colony , and their accent is SOOOO sexy !!!

Bad gals please u2u me !!!

G'day mates !!!!

HAPPY 4th!!!! One of my favorite holidays! What other day can you find millions of drunk people playing with explosives! ok maybe in the middle east, but they don't have nearly as much fun!

They don't drink either! Maybe that's the problem!!!

They dont drink in the Middle east

Today, 300 million drunk ass Americans will be playing with millions of tons of explosives, and not giving two #s about thier fascist govornment trying to stoke paranoia of a terrorist attack. They will do so because they have always done so, because thats who they are.

Thats a good a reason as any to celebrate.