Happy Birthday U.s.a.!

[Clanad]

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness...

Thank you Mother England for the thirst for freedom handed down to the Colonists... (Where did you find that hapless Hapsburg, King Georgie?)

Additionally, at this very hour 150 years ago today, General Robert E. Lee wihdrew his Army of Northern Virginia from the devastating Battle of Gettysberg wherein, over a period of three days, 55,000 casualties were inflicted on both the Union blue and Confederate grey troops...

Probably the most famous quote from the entire battle occurred when, after Pickett's disastrous failed assault on Cemetery Ridge, Lee rode out to meet him and said, "...'General Pickett,' said Lee, 'place your division in the rear of this hill and be ready to repel the advance of the enemy should they follow up their advantage.' 'General Lee,' said Pickett, crying, 'I have no division now. Armistead is down, Garnett is down, and Kemper is mortally wounded — ' The War lasted nearly two more years...

[FredPuli43]

Have a good day, Clanad!

Why does King George III get all the blame? No king since James II had great influence over his ministers. Maybe it suits the rhetoric of not being governed by a tyrant.

[emmie]

and long she have many more...

[emmie]

long may...

[237SJ]

Does that mean the sales have started? :-)

[Clanad]

Started yesterday SJ... you missed the crowds!

[sp1814]

Ah America - I remember when you were still a nipper...

[ToraToraTora]

Happy Birthday Clanad, I envy you guys, we have the EUSSR to contend with. Still there are some similarities:
Declaration of independence:1300 words
US regs on sale of Cabbage:26911 words
have a great day and remember it's not true that Porsche called their best selling car the 911 so Americans would know what to call when they crashed it, the truth is far more disturbing and involves Le Frogs!
Can UK actors occasionally play the good guys now?

[stewey]

Clanad; happy birthday to my downstairs neighbor.

[ToraToraTora]

ignore fender there's always someone who can't resist pi55ing on the bonfire.

[humbersloop]

Happy Independence Day Clanad

..and we, too, are eternally grateful to Will Smith ;)

[LazyGun]

Happy Birthday US.

So far, I think SPs answer should get best answer :)

This nonsense about 1300 words for the DoI and 27000 for a cabbage memo has been knocking around for decades in one form or another.

http://www.snopes.com/language/document/cabbage.asp

[piggynose]

whose gonna give 'em the bumps?

[Quizmonster]

I'm a bit late obviously, C, but 'many happy returns of the day', as they say.

[hessian]

What do the Yanks know that we don't? We've always been told that the Georges came from Hanover!!!!!