Happy July 4th

Teemu Selanne's birthday coincides with an important date in North America: Independence Day, the day the Declaration Of Independence was adopted (in 1776), when the United States emancipated from British rule.

Canada, for example, officially started in 1867 (although Lower Canada - part of what is now Québec, pretty much - and Upper Canada - Ontario - existed on their own 1791-1841) and has yet to declare itself independent from British rule. As a matter of fact, the Queen Of England remains Canada's political leader to this very day.

Which makes this quote from John Adams quite amusing:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

Not just that he was off by two days, but also that ''the whole continent'' would celebrate... they don't. There are three other National Holidays celebrated on the continent: the Mexican Independence Day is September 16th, Canada Day is July 1st, and La St-Jean-Baptiste (Québec's national holiday) is June 24th.

The Philippines also celebrate on July 4th... but they celebrate the fact that they are no longer a U.S. territory... it's their own Independence Day. Oh, the irony!

Still... bring on the fireworks, the BBQ, the light beer, and celebrate the past to appreciate the present, on the day that John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe died and Calvin Coolidge was born.