EU-Digest
Independence Day USA - Europe wishes America a very happy and fun filled 4th of July
Europe does not celebrate the 4th., but anyone here who knows something about history and is able to put their own nationalistic feelings aside will certainly be able to admire the principles on which the US Constitution is based. Europe can also be proud about the influence they (France) have had on the American revolutionary process and in achieving its independence.
When the French entered the revolutionary war in 1778 they basically saved the American Revolution from disaster. As long as the British seemed to be pushing the "rebels" around at will, intervention was unwise but victory at the Battle of Saratoga showed that the United States had a chance and that French money, troops, navy, and supplies might make the difference. With the French entry after the Franco-American Treaty of February, 1778, the Spanish and the Netherlands also entered the battle against the British. The War for American Independence quickly became a world war as anti-British forces took the opportunity to attack. Without the French, however, the revolting colonies would certainly have been forced back into the British empire.
Although the signing of the Declaration of Independence was not completed until August, the Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of U.S. independence and is celebrated in all states and territories of the U.S. It was not declared a legal holiday, however, until 1941.
So on this very special day for America, Europe honors and congratulates you.
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