great anniversary festival

Here's a little thing. On holidays I look forward to checking out Google's main page. Check out what it looks like today:

And here's some interesting tidbits from a wikipedia page about July 4th:

John Adams, credited by Thomas Jefferson as the unofficial, tireless whip of the independence-minded, wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776:

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.

Adams was off by two days, however. Certainly, the vote on July 2 was the decisive act. But July 4, 1776 is the date on the Declaration itself. Jefferson's stirring prose, as edited by the Congress, was first adopted by the July 4th vote. It was also the first day Philadelphians heard the official news of independence from the Continental Congress, as opposed to rumors in the street about secret votes.

So today, this fourth of July, marks a day for "solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty, pomp and parade, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations."

I for one, offer my thanks to God for the freedom to live in this nation. I'm grateful for every soldier serving and sacrificing for that freedom right very now. And I celebrate the idea that we are one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

May it be so.
Happy Birthday USA!