A sincere, kindly wish, from this side of the Atlantic, that all you USns will have a happy day.

Yes, indeed, you independent lot!

Wot, 'ave they been allowed to go their own way? Well, I never did! Why didn't anyone tell me?

Have a good day, you useless USn bludgers!

A-hrm. I think I'll post something that happened to me on my trip. Before I left, I made up and printed out signs to tape onto the windows of my hire car (still trying to use terminology appropriate to the location). They had a small picture of our flag, and large, bold letters that proclaimed: "Warning--U.S. Driver". Yes, it was as embarrassing as I'd figured it would be, but I still think it was worth the embarrassment. Several times, people would let me over when I discovered belatedly that I needed to change lanes, and who knows how many accidents were avoided because native drivers were on the alert that my car might do something weird.
Anyway--I'd stopped at the Post Office in Upper Greaves, England, to buy some post card stamps. When the clerk told me that the two for Great Britain would be delivered the next day, I said I'd go out to the car, write them, and bring them back to him. When I went back in, another customer was at the window, a local man. I was waiting behind him when he turned to me and said that I might want to change the signs on my car to USA. At that point, he looked at the clerk and both men burst out laughing. I thought for a minute, then said, "Do I want to know why?" Whereupon the man said, "Over here, US means useless".

Thanks for the felicitations, you-all. Family picnic and fireworks tonight!

Aw, gee whiz, thanks for the good wishes. I celebrated with a swim at the pool - I'm not courageous enough to chance our cold north Atlantic waters. Doesn't seem to bother the children though!!
It's sunny and warm here and the beach is crowded with happy families swimming, sunning and enjoying picnics. It will be fireworks and ice cream at the beach for many tonight.
I plan to plant myself at the TV to watch, in comfort, the Boston Pops at the traditional Fourth of July concert and fireworks display on the Esplanade in Boston.
They have announced that - for the first time - the Pops will be broadcast live nationwide - 8p.m. on East coast If I heard it right! Check your local listing as it's a great time! The 1812 Overture with real cannon shot off at the appropriate time.
See you there !

One wonders what would have happened, had not George III been bonkers and had not a few hot-heads in the Parliament been stupid. There were a great many who disfavoured war between the Colonies and the Mother Country. There were those on both sides of the Pond who were intent on a solution which neither shed blood nor rent the relationship between the two places. Canada managed to "grow up" quite nicely without rebelling. One wonders.

maybe the North family would be living yet in Wroxton Abby at Banbery Cross.

and maybe Washington, and Jefferson, et al, would have been hung for treason.. and war would have come anyway in 1836 when England outlawed slavery.

It IS interesting to contemplate what would have happened in many of those instances were folks took up arms rather than taking down barriers. My earlier point was that war between England and the Colonies was not inevitable; it only appears inevitable from the way it is described in the textbooks.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2003/06/25/do2503.xml&sSheet=/portal/2003/06/25/ixportal.html

Andrew Marr's history lesson

I'm with Andrew Marr on that - both the Patriot and Braveheart are truly awful films in terms of historical accuracy (google Braveheart innacuracies for a range of views). Stick with The Madness of George III if you want to see some realistic warts n' all history (that's the one that comes after The Madness of George and The Madness of George II.

Historical Documents:Declaration of Independence
... the thirteen United States of America Historical Documents | About the Declaration of Independence. WHEN in the Course of human Events ...Read all about why :
http://memory.loc.gov/const/declar.html takes a minute to load

And while you're at it, do listen to Leonard Bernstein's, 'A White House Cantata'. A lot of people here are musically inclined and so, many of you might already have listened to this; but, I heard it (parts of it) for the first time, on WQXR a couple of days back. And I loved it. I have a severe case of endomusia with, 'ten square miles by the Poto-oh-oh-mac river'. Especially the poto-oh-oh-mac bit!
What, by the way, is the difference between a musical and a cantata?

Am too late with my greetings, but, have a good weekend everyone!

I was at a conference in London on 4th. I think it was symbolic that the Honorary Speaker who gave the last presentation this day was from States. congratulations.

difference between a musical and a cantata

my understanding of it: a musical is staged, with costumes and movement, with spoken dialogue interspersed with song. a cantata is more formally presented, with no dialogue. more like an opera, with no staging. opera combines the two: all sung, with staging.

so, where does oratorio fit in? What's the difference between a cantata and an oratorio? Is it just subject matter?

Bingley

ooh, I knew I was missing something. I think a cantata is a mini-oratorio. an oratorio is more like an opera(with characters, etc), but again, not staged so elaborately, no movement, etc.

And oratorios do have recitatives, but I don't think the recitative is necessarily part of a cantata. Missiah is probably the best known oratorio.

I believe, historically, an oratorio was like an opera but on a religious subject. They were performed during the season when operas were forbidden for religious reasons, basically the period between Christmas and Easter.