To my American readers: I wish you all a very peaceful Independence Day. If any “fire” is really needed, please focus on the barbecue 
If the 4th turns into a boring “we’ve done this all before’ event: just spice it up, as suggested by the European Union. By the way, I, along with the Dutch speaking majority in Belgium, will be celebrating July 11th, with the official Belgian July 21st celebrations being largely ignored in my area. I spent my Belgian 4th of July shopping downtown - a favorite American recreational pursuit 
This blog is not affiliated with or endorsed by the city of Antwerp, Belgium.
Thanks so much, Peter! Sometimes I think you know the U.S. better than we do … I had completely forgotten about the Independence Day movie. The other video makes me smile and laugh ever time I see it. We are completely out of illegal fireworks this year so celebrating with good friends around the campfire at our mtn property will have to do, and it shall nicely.
Have a great weekend!
[Blog author: "Thanks Shirley! Have a great 4th of July in the mountains. It's quite a regular day in Belgium: business as usual with very few people noticing that America is celebrating. I do have a couple of US friends so it's closer to home for me. Belgium has 3 "national holidays". July 21st Belgium 'celebrates' (with a large part of the country not really caring). July 11th, we, the Flemish/Dutch have our day to celebrate, with the French speaking minority celebrating on a day I can't even recall during the fall. It just stopped raining, so I'm off to escape the building noise nearby!"]
Comment by Shirley — July 4, 2008 @ 3:07 am
Peter,
There are two quotes from Benjamin Franklin that thoroughly sum up what this day is, and should be remembered for:
“We will hang together gentleman, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” (Upon the signing of the Declaration.)
Mrs. Powell - “Tell us Mr. Franklin; what kind of government have you given us?”
Franklin - “A republic madam, if you can keep it.”
(Upon the end of the Constitutional Convention.)
BBQ’s aside, we would do well to remember that for all our faults, this nation was a grand experiment in 1776. It is still an experiment in 2008. Let us not forget what this day really means.
[Blog author: "Great quotes Mr. Nighttime. I hope that after the elections the US gets a president who manages to restore the foundations the US was built upon."]
Comment by Mr. Nighttime — July 4, 2008 @ 9:05 am
Thanks Peter, we’ll be busy blowin’ stuff up
[Blog author: "My pleasure. Oh yes, about the "blowing stuff up" part: the world noticed. But as long as it's all done without targeting anything in particular: go ahead, have fun!
"]
Comment by madnessisay — July 4, 2008 @ 6:01 pm
I am pretty sure I’m caught up on your posts now– you have a great view from your balcony. Great pics! I am supposedly celebrating my independence day on July 14; John swears we will be getting divorced for real that day (hehe). I’ll post soon about my trip, and add some pictures in for good measure.
[Blog author:"Thanks for checking out my latest post Granola-grrrl! Yes, I do have a great view (ships passing by), which will unfortunately disappear due to construction within a yet unspecified period of time. I'm looking forward to your pictures. Give my regards to Veronica in Va. "]
Comment by Granola-grrrl — July 6, 2008 @ 3:03 pm