Fourth of July – Happy Birthday, America!

Independence Day Celebration in Centre Square, Philadelphia
(a depiction of the celebrations of July 4th 1819, by John Lewis Krimmel)

The Fourth of July is a national holiday in the United States of America, annually observed to commemorate a very important occasion, the claiming of the country’s independence from Britain on July 4, 1776. With the inception of democracy across the nation, the Fourth of July later became popularly known as the birthday of America. It has since become a tradition to mark this celebration with pompous events such as parades, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, athletic games, reunions and most of all, grandiose fireworks displays in many public areas in every state. 

Phrase of the day July 16th 2010

"Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual." Thomas Jefferson.