Independence Day USA: We, the people are violent and filled with rage: A nation spinning apart on its Independence Day - by Jim Slrrprt

School shootings, hatred, capitalism run amok: This 4th of July, the US is in the midst of a tragic public derangement.

The creation of the United States really was a Novus ordo seclorum, a New Order of the Ages, a society’s first self-aware, if fumbling and compromised, effort to live by the liberal expectation that autonomous individuals could govern themselves together without having to impose religious doctrines or mystical narratives of tribal blood or soil. With barely a decorous nod to The Creator, the founders of the American republic conferred on one another the right to have rights, a distinguished group of them constituting the others as “We, the people.”

That revolutionary effort is not just in trouble now, or endangered, or under attack, or reinventing itself. It’s in prison, with no prospect of parole, and many Americans, including me, who wring our hands or wave our arms about this are actually among the jailers, or we’ve sleepwalked ourselves and others into the cage and have locked ourselves in. 

We haven’t yet understood the shots fired and heard ’round the world from 74 American schools, colleges and military bases since the Sandy Hook School massacre of December 2012.

These shots haven’t been fired by embattled farmers at invading armies. They haven’t been fired by terrorists who’ve penetrated our surveillance and security systems. With few exceptions, they haven’t been fired by aggrieved non-white Americans. 

They’ve been fired mostly by young, white American citizens at other white citizens, and by American soldiers at other American soldiers, inside the very institutions where republican virtues and beliefs are nurtured and defended.

Read more: We, the people are violent and filled with rage: A nation spinning apart on its Independence Day - Salon.com

USA: Fourth of July celebrations around the world

4th of July Fireworks at Disney World

Since the announcement of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776,  and the end of being a colony of Britain, the date has become a holiday for people throughout the United States of America, who mark the occasion through a series of firework displays, street parades and more.

Their celebrations have also spread beyond borders.

In Beijing, where Americans make up one of the biggest expat groups in the city, plenty of venues will host American Independence Day celebrations. At the same time, the US Embassy's Sina Weibo page will be streaming live firework shows and concerts from the US and has even posted parts of the Declaration itself on the site.

Many of the celebrations in Europe take place at American military bases. Others are high-traffic American tourists spots where the locals understand how to increase the travel traffic during the July 4th period. Whoever creates it, and for whatever reason, it's still unique to celebrate an American holiday in Europe!

For the North American neighbors who happen to find themselves south of the border when July 4th rolls around, no worries! The U.S. Independence Day Holiday — (and, a combined, delayed celebration for the July 1st Canada Day) — is reason enough for parties and fireworks in the Punta de Mita area.

EU-Digest

INDEPENDENCE DAY USA: Europe wishes America a very happy and fun filled 4th of July

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.