Thanks! The economy has dashed many fireworks displays, but, the meaning of the day is still there, if only for us Yanks.

It will be 105 on that day, in Az, USA and I'm cooking outside. With a fire.

Have misters, will cook!

Thanks from a patriot, and a son of patriots. Years ago, I learned one of my ancestors served in the Pennsylvania militia during the Revolutionary War. Another served during the Civil War. My dad was in the Navy in WWII. While I never did see combat, I did serve in the National Guard.

My little town has its celebrations on the 3rd, so as not to compete with the bigger events going on elsewhere in the Tulsa area on the 4th. I'll probably walk over to the park, down a plate of barbecue, and head back to the house. I live 2 blocks south of the park, so all I have to do is step outside to see the boom-booms go off.

The town will fill up with people, essentially expanding the population to 3 times its normal size. One year, I went on my normal evening walk a mile out from the center of town to the new school complex and back. It was wall-to-wall people and cars.

I am in Russia right now. But the very small group of Americans here will be bar-b-cueing on Saturday.

4th July is not marked in the UK. However, there are usually a few fireworks let off on the 5th November instead.

YANKS....from the Urban Dictionary

1)Uneducated, uncultured, god-fearing morons with a penchant for deeply
ingrained racism and general war-mongering.

2)the single most disgusting group of people on the planet. they feed on
war, suffering and racism. they are warmongerers who invade other people's
country's in a futile bid to give them "political freedom" (i.e. american
facism). they are all morbidly obese child molesting pig-rapists who enjoy
nothing more than being self-righteous small minded homophobic racist
bullies. they also belive that the ability to shoot and maim innocent people
make you free. their current leader, bush, is a shining example of why they
shouldn't be alowed to be a free country. they belive that the world looks
up to them, the pioneers of global warming, and proud creators of the
extralarge mega big Mac. and they wonder why 9/11 happend (not that it was a
good thing).

3)Slang for Yankees, which refers to all the people of the United States,
particularly those of the northern and New England states. Contrary to some
uneducated beliefs, the diverse and multicultural people of the U.S. have
greatly influenced the world in culture and lifestyle through their coveted
media industry. Also notable is the country's position in fueling the global
economy and the amount of aid, both financial and military, given around the
world, which far exceeds any other country.

4)the best people in the world (next to Canadians)

..........I always refer to my Yank friends as TheYanks. It is a
colloquialism, no?

The derogatory meaning I was referring to is "Septic Tank Yanks". Hope you had a good Canada Day there, duckinthepond. Boy, you know, I read those and it kind of rings true - seems like it is referring to the three stooges, Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld doesn't it. Sure glad them three are gone. Talk about a street gang.

You forgot Bush's brain, Carl Rove. That makes it the four dorks.

Oh yeah, I forgot about Rowe.

I'd like to know who wrote definition #2. My guess it was some sap living in a totally closed society with the ability to only communicate anonymously over the internet and bitch about the rest of the free world.

"morbidly obese child molesting pig-rapists", does seem a little strong.

I just heard on NPR that only 30% of the people in USA are obese.

Happy Independence Day to all USA members.

Thanks, Professor ... although I am one foreigner amongst over 4000 others, I still remember the day, the celebration, and that it's not just 'firecracker day', but a day to celebrate our Independence ....... may we NEVER forget it Kind regards .....

Thank you Sir.

No celebrations for myself today as I'm offshore Angola with a great group of Aussies, Ukrainians, Indonesians, S. Africans, Venezuelans, and a few guys from Singapore. Talk about a mixed-bag!

Those of you who can, have a BBQ rib for me too, OK?

Hi All American Friends,

"WISHING YOU ALL GREAT INDEPENDENCE DAY & GOOD WISHES."

Your Friend,

Suresh Sharma.

Thanks for the happy wishes from all.

And if it increases multi-cultural understanding, those of us out west refer to some as Yankees (anyone from the east), as has been pointed out some here in the states use the term damnedyankees(people from the northeast), and then in the vocabulary is the term for all those country boys in flat tin hats called Yanks. I think referred to by our fellow Allies as damnedyanks(meaning all those from across the water).

It is a funny ol' world.

Ed said it correctly. I also want to thank those who took the trouble to wish us in the US well. I sure am going to miss the parades today and the fireworks tonight. Not missing the weather though. I video Skype'd my wife awhile ago and she tells me its going over a hundred degrees today. Great day for an ice-cold beer. Well, thanks again y'all!

Chauvinism will get you through times of no chauvinism better than no chauvinism will get you through times of chauvinism.............and to hell with the Establishment! Hey man, if it ain't broken.....break it! (u now have 4 off-topic points)