# Happy Birthday to the United States of America! It's Independence Day. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 4, 2014, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346 "2014-07-04T14:39:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/1 "2014-07-04T14:39:05Z")
Heading to the lake in a few minutes. I wanted to wish everyone a happy 4th of July. It’s time to fire up those grills, slice some watermelons and unwind. I hope everyone has a blessed and safe holiday. We’re grilling some link sausages and steaks. Picked up a seedless melon at the Farmer’s Market. I can’t wait to get to the lake and get started. Its unusually mild and cool today. Perfect for water skiing. I got some bottle rockets and firecrackers to set off tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/2 "2014-07-04T14:50:48Z")
I have two excellent rib eye steaks that I will grill over charcoal for dinner. We might have baked potatoes, and/or we might have corn. There’s also a can of baked beans in the cupboard. I’ll ask the SO what she wants. The [new ice cream maker](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=727164) arrived yesterday. For my first trick: zabaglione gelato. The shore of the bay is lit up from Birch Point to Point Whitehorn every 4th of July by a couple/few thousand people setting off thousands and thousands of dollars of fireworks. It sounds like a war zone here with ‘bombs bursting in air’ and rockets shrieking and exploding and explosives of various sizes reporting everything from cracks to booms. Fortunately, the cat doesn’t seem to mind. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/3 "2014-07-04T15:17:46Z")
Happy Independence Day! I cranked up the smoker yesterday and smoked ribs and chicken. Others are bringing sides to go with 'em. Beer and watermelons are iced down. Munchies are already and the pool beckons. Also, not quite so hot today so it’ll be wonderful outside! ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/4 "2014-07-04T15:22:38Z")
Going to the in-laws for a BBQ with the family. And to enjoy some relative peace and quiet, they live in a town that banned fireworks years ago. We can see the fireworks show in Seattle from the front yard even though we are about 10 miles away. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/5 "2014-07-04T15:30:13Z")
Screw you, King George III! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/6 "2014-07-04T15:48:33Z")
Happy birthday, neighbour. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/7 "2014-07-04T16:38:04Z")
Ungrateful buggers. Good riddance to you. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/8 "2014-07-04T16:56:33Z")
Happy Independence Day to all you folks South of the Border (and the ones to the northwest too)! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/9 "2014-07-04T17:17:48Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Ungrateful buggers. Good riddance to you. 🙂 You might like this movie clip, from _Quigley Down Under_. It’s really short [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9-r-5kB1Sz0/hqdefault.jpg "Quigley Down Under (Clip)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-r-5kB1Sz0) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/10 "2014-07-04T17:37:27Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > 🙂 > > You might like this movie clip, from _Quigley Down Under_. It’s really short > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-r-5kB1Sz0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-r-5kB1Sz0) > > 😃 Takes a few liberties with historical fact, but eh, whatever helps you sleep at night. Don’t eat too many hot dogs, now. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/11 "2014-07-04T17:37:53Z")
Nothin’ much is going on at Chez Doors. We’re watching the World Cup game because there’s nothing more American than sitting idly while Germany beats France. 😃 After the game, we’ll do some housework and figure out what to do for dinner. I’m thinking turkey burgers. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/12 "2014-07-04T18:00:02Z")
Have We Been Reading the Declaration of Independence All Wrong? > **[Have We Been Reading the Declaration of Independence All Wrong?](https://news.yahoo.com/reading-declaration-independence-wrong-144302368.html)** > > Here's some fun news for the Fourth of July: America might be reading an important passage of the Declaration of Independence all wrong. A scholar's argument that an authoritative transcription of the Declaration contains a period that isn't actually... eat that George. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/13 "2014-07-04T18:01:00Z")
“I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other….” - John Adams Gray and drizzly here in SE Vermont, where I’m visiting with in-laws, but we’re having fun. A Glorious Fourth to all my Doper friends, and God bless America! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/14 "2014-07-04T18:36:05Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Ungrateful buggers. Good riddance to you. Funny thing is I’ll be watching the **British** Grand Prix this weekend. > [@MsRobyn](#): > > …because there’s nothing more American than sitting idly while Germany beats France. 😃 Surely they’ve surrendered by now. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/15 "2014-07-04T18:49:38Z")
celebrating with arthur off the coast. cloudy, windy, cool, and so far dry in philly… ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/16 "2014-07-04T18:53:52Z")
Set up Mr Magnet’s screen computer so that he and his morning cornflakes were greeted by an enormous picture of a American flag, eagles, Ben Franklin in Ray Bans holding an assault rifle, etc. ‘And what is this in aid of?’ ‘238 years, bitches.’ ‘Ah yes, of course.’ He’s delicate first thing in the morning. Myself did no work today because 1. it’s a holiday back home and 2. I ain’t doing no work for my British overlords today. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/17 "2014-07-04T18:54:18Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Surely they’ve surrendered by now. 😃 They did. Germany won 1-0. It wasn’t even an interesting game. > [@Malacandra](#): > > Ungrateful buggers. Good riddance to you. You don’t know what you have until it’s gone. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/18 "2014-07-04T19:44:43Z")
Happy Fourth to all you Dopers down South! ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/19 "2014-07-04T20:13:03Z")
Still recovering from The Stone Pony. Dear Southside, Had wonderful time! Wish you were there… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346/20 "2014-07-04T20:59:44Z")
[If the British had won](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1YvJBwC4xQ) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-to-the-united-states-of-america-its-independence-day/692346.md?page=2)