Independence Day: The 4th of July

Being such a history buff, I have to say that Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays, not just because I am an American, but because it is something that has given hope to many other countries and peoples since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. 

People may take it for granted these days and only think of the barbeques, fireworks, and other family enjoyments but the reason why we all can have so much fun now is because of the first 4th of July itself.  Otherwise the British Empire would have included the USA and we would not be as free as we are today.  Who knows, maybe the British Empire would not have collapsed and we would have had more tyranny by a feudal government system rather than a democracy!  

The American Republic was born as a result of British Imperial tendencies of control...but what really set people off was the taxes on Tea...the people got sick of having their hard earned work and money being abused by a dictator (King) across the ocean.  So, they had the "Boston Tea Party" by throwing all the imported tea by the East India Trading Company into the water.  This started a chain reaction and next thing you know you have American Colonial Revolutionaries fighting British Imperials.  

One of my favorite movies on this important subject is Mel Gibson's "The Patriot" and another movie called "Barry Lyndon".  I have provided clips of both below:

Mel Gibson's "The Patriot"

Mel Gibson's "The Patriot" is a very personal account of the American Revolutionary War that resulted in what we know as "Independence Day".  

"Barry Lyndon"

Barry Lyndon shows the general political situation of the time period and why the USA allied with the French and others.