Hi Reader,

Let the Holiday Fun Begin

This week, we've been celebrating the historical 250th birthday of these great United States of America.

I hope you're also planning some fun - BBQs, burgers, boating, beaches and partying par excellence ... IN ADDITION TO completing your assignment to read the Declaration of Independence out loud,

Good. You should enjoy the holiday – but in the meantime, I'll offer a meager contribution by sharing a few interesting and humorous items for this holiday.

Fireworks to set a World Record

On the National mall in Washington DC, Pyrotecnico, who has provided the National Mall fireworks in the last few years, intends to set a world record.

Last year, they use an estimated 15,000 fireworks. This year, they intend to use 860,000 fireworks from multiple locations – set to last 35 minutes – and to set that world record, a staggering number by any measure.

It will be on TV everywhere, and while watching fireworks in person is always welcome, this should be quite the extravaganza to watch.

Here's how the CEO of Freedom 250 explained it:

“For 250 years, America has been defined by the courage of those who built this nation and the optimism of those who believed in its promise. This firework display will light up the skies over our capital as a tribute to them, and a reminder to every American watching that our greatest chapters are still ahead. It's a moment to come together, look up, and feel proud of who we are and where we're going."

Google Doodles

You might note that every Fourth of July, Google shows up with a new Independence Day Doodle.

Most people see the day's illustration and move on. What many don't realize is that Google keeps an archive of every Independence Day Doodle going back years. It's a fascinating walk through how one of the world's most recognizable companies has celebrated America's birthday over time.

Here's one of them celebrating America's Favorite Pastiime. You can explore all of them here.

Americans Surveyed on the 4th of July

There are some unsettling questions in CBS's 250th Anniversary Poll, but also some less serious observations by the People.

Which of the following foods most represents America?

Probably no surprise here ...

Hamburgers 33%
Barbecue 25%
Apple pie 19%
Hot dog 14%
Pizza 6%
Turkey 2%
Tacos 1%

American's Greatest Invention

These results are interesting

Democracy/Freedom 16%
Electricity/lighting 14%
Internet 10%
Automobile 6%
Telephone 5%
Airplane 4%

America's the Best in the World at

Movies and television 58%
Technology innovation 56%
Music 41%
Sports 38%
Food 31%

The best rendition of America the Beautiful

While this was not specifically included in the CBS poll, Americans generally consider that Ray Charles 1972 soulful rendition to be the best and most patriotic version. I certainly do!

I was fortunate to hear him sing it in person under the St. Louis arch many years ago, and it is a powerful version that I never get tired of hearing.

Whether you've ever heard it or not, I think you'll agree. If you're paying attention, you might find a tear forming ....

You can find it here.

America's Songbook

CBS also compiled what they call American's Songbook, 250 songs that are American's favorite. You can find the full list at the link.

If you scroll down when you visit the link, you can search for songs by Artist or by Decade – AND you can listen to each song listed if you wish.

Here are the Top 5.

In that same compilation, here are the top-cited artists on that list:

Yes, Only Men Signed the Declaration ... except ...

Ultimately, 56 Men of our Founding Fathers signed the document, although not until almost 30 days after its adoption — not because of any hesitation, but because the Founders wanted the document memorialized in parchment after which they would sign it.

Although there were no female signatories, there is a woman's name on the document – Mary Katharine Goddard. As a prominent publisher and Baltimore's first postmaster, she was commissioned by the Continental Congress to print the first official copy of the Declaration.

When she added – "Baltimore, in Maryland: Printed by Mary Katharine Goddard" – at the bottom of the parchment, she aligned herself with the cause of the rebels.

While in later unrelated events, she proved she was a committed advocate of women's rights, there is no clear evidence that her signature on the parchment was intended to reflect those views.

Or was it?

Are you a fan of this Curmudgeon?

I don't know about you, but I'm a big fan of Larry David - co-founder with Jerry Seinfeld of the smash Seinfeld series - the star of his own show, *Curb Your Enthusiasm – *and now with a new program just in time for America's birthday.

Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness

The limited TV series of 7 episodes on HBO began last Friday and will have a new episode every Friday.

If you know Larry David, you know he's an extraordinary example of an ornery curmudgeon and this program doesn't disappoint.

I won't spoil it for you, but it's a series of vignettes re-enacting scenes from American history. My favorite is the one where he's sitting on the bus next to Rosa Parks – and you might surmise how that turns out.

Here is a brief clip of what Larry thinks SHOULD BE in the Declaration of Independence, upon which he elaborates in the first part of last week's program.

Finally, here are a few of my favorite quotes

Before you head out for the holiday, here are a few of my favorite quotations about America.

They hardly glamorize our country or government, but they do speak to our sense of humor and the freedom we have to criticize our government, often in the harshest terms.