Someone asked me the other day, ‘Do you celebrate the fourth, Vicki?’ Well, actually that’s a very good question.
Obviously, like all Brits, I view the Declaration of Independence as an act of treason. And yes, I’ve listened to the ‘no taxation without representation’ excuses, but what about the fact that the poor British taxpayer had to cough up to defend Americans in their French and Indian war? And once saved, would they chip in? So I ask you, where’s the gratitude?
So it’s going to be tough because it’s hard to escape the 4th when you’re living in the middle of Philadelphia where it all happened. I’ll be forced to contemplate the sorry events of 1776 with my significant alien and friends who will be partying on the deck tonight. I expect the weather will be gorgeous as it usually is on the fourth, but fortunately we Brits are made of stern stuff. No doubt I’ll manage to maintain a stiff upper lip as I tuck into thetraditional barbecue feast. And then I’ll have to suffer through the very best firework display in America.
So it’s a tough life, but as we say where I come from, mustn’t grumble.
Here’s wishing American’s everywhere a spectacular fourth of July.
How will you/did you celebrate?
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I had to comment. I celebrate my birthday on the 4th of July and tell my friends in India that the whole of America celebrates my birthday with fireworks.I had a nice lunch with my family and enjoyed my birthday:-)
A friend of a friend in a similar situation (albeit on the opposite coast) puts her own unique twist on the holiday by celebrating “Loss of the Colonies Weekend,” which I thought was rather clever 🙂
Bah humbug?
Well, July 4th was wonderful, as always.
Arthri, a big welcome thank you for sharing that. I like your idea of the loss of the colonies, Barb, but think I have been presented with a better option here.
From now on, July 4th will be known as Arthi’s birthday in our house.
I’m a US-American living in eastern Germany and, among other things, teaching English here. Most people here have never heard of the 4th of July or only very vaguely … and most know quite (!) little about US history, having had, if at all, more British-specific English classes.
This year I celebrated the 4th for the first time in 14+ years abroad, having a garden party at home — with real hamburgers (beef-only instead of beef-pork ground mix), salads brought by friends, sun tea (a new thing for folk here!), coke, lemonade (from real lemons; in Germany ‘Limonade’ means “coke” in the sense of basically any soft drink), kids and dogs … the girls even found feathers in the neighborhood and with some string I had made “Indian Jewelry/Decoration” – necklaces and headpieces – quite an American idea, I must say! :-))) I also explained a little bit about the 4th and what it celebrates (from a US point of view 😉 ) for those interested.
It was a wonderful afternoon/evening.
Cheers!
Lovely to meet you Rebecca, great party and thank you for sharing this.
I had no idea what sun tea was, but I found a recipe here: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Sun-Tea. Well I never! It sounds perfect for making (and drinking) in the heat at this time of year.
Lemonade conjures up two things in the British part of my brain. A fizzy clear pop that used to be sold in clear bottles and is now sold in cans (under the name of 7up?) and also hazy memories from my childhood of making a drink with freshly squeezed lemons and sugar. The latter has returned to my life in the US – it really is a treat.