Ahhh, Independence Day...

The great American summer holiday. In Spring, we've Easter. In Autumn, Halloween. In Winter we've Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.

In the Summer, we celebrate our Independence Day. Every July fourth, Americans break out the grills, the red white and blue, the frisbees, the sodas, beers, the hot dogs, burgers, steaks, and potato salad. Stores have mattress sales, patio furniture sales, pool supplies, car sales, and we all love watching people blow stuff up. Professionals light up the sky with fireworks, and amateurs keep emergency rooms busy with the same.

All to celebrate America's... what?

Many say birthday, but, to anyone who knows me, it should come as no surprise that I disagree, have my own opinion about it, and what I believe to be a reasonable argument as to why.

Look back in history. For many, I know this might involve dusting off the memory, or even *gasp* looking it up on-line or in an encyclopedia, or, if you don't want to go through all that, just read on.

On May 14, 1607, the Jamestown colony was established in Virginia, in what is now called Williamsburg. This was the first successful British colony on the mainland of the New World, and the first permanent settlement that would become a major factor in being able to establish the 13 colonies that would become the first 13 of the United States.

To me, this speaks of the birth of our nation. Following the whole birth metaphor, Britain would be the parent, and the Colonies (US) the child.

Fast forward from 1607 to the early 1700's. The colonies have grown into a child who started to resent the rules of its parent. By 1776, the Colonies have reached their surly teens, and started to rebel against the rules laid down by the parent. Britain said "my house, my rules", and Thomas Jefferson offered the words that allowed the surly teen to say, "Fine! I'm moving out!"

So as you grill the meat, eat the potatoes and slaw, and watch crap blow up, keep in mind that the United States isn't celebrating its birthday today, so much as telling off its parent.

And for at least 234 years, been able to get away with it without having to beg to move back in.