At least that it was it has become.
To be fair, America's Independence Day was really July 2nd. that was the day 240 years ago that the vote took pace and the signatures began. The process was finished today the Fourth and announced to the world and as a result, John Adams looks kind of foolish when he talked about how important July 2nd will be to this country. Regardless 240 years ago American and World history changes forever and this website is dedicated to studying and reflecting upon it. This afternoon Mr. Tyler Anderson will put in his contribution on this famous day. Even if the fame is a bit erroneous.
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We all know that most people find history boring.
So historians must do everything in their power to make it interesting, even at the expense of embarrassing yourself to be "hip". This video combines two of my loves, the American Revolution and One Republic. While I think I could have written this song, don't forget my Taylor Swift/Andrew Jackson musical montage from Freedom Faculty's Got Talent 2015, it is very well done for what it is. Before this project is done I should make a song of my own. Please suggest songs to use as my base for the Declaration of Independence song in the comments section and go America! We have been following the Declaration of Independence and we have reached one of the most surprising things of the entire document, Jefferson's ad lib of John Locke's natural rights.
While the "pursuit of happiness" sounds wonderful and has some unique American connotations, leaving our property does seem like an odd decision. Yes, it could be implied in the clause "that among these rights...", but not being explicitly articulated seems strange for Jefferson, a lover of Locke. It would be like quoting Dr. Legnini without a British accent, Mr. Sessoms without saying Milton Friedman, Mr. Stoneking without mentioning the Imperial March or Mr. Thill without Missouri (see what I did right there, I just hit every demographic). So what gives? Let's explore.
Most Americans had never heard of Nigel Farage before the famed Brexit vote last week.
Farage was seen as an architect behind this vote and his cantankerous attitude mixed with a vitriolic political style has likened more than a few people to call him the Donald Trump of England. Farage's star is probably helped the most by the latest vote and he calmly explains to CNN why people are overreacting to this moment and even makes an American comparison. P.S. At the end he does make sure to send a jab Hillary Clinton's way
Now, as I said, MOST Americans were unaware of Nigel Farage in any meaningful way but not a former US government teacher like me.
Six years ago, before being so callous was cool, Farage went after the EU Leader and Belgium in terms that would make "Savage Susan" herself blush. It's not exactly the poise and elegance of the Declaration of Independence but this rant is pretty memorable. Enjoy!
This being the time for patriotic songs galore, this Friday Fun/Soundtrack post takes a look at a song you have been singing probably without much afterthought since music class in elementary school.
"Yankee Doodle" is a song that is older than our country. While the author and original lyrics are contentious, its intent is certain. Yankee Doodle was meant to mock and humiliate the American colonists by British soldiers. Let's take the most famous verse. Yankee Doodle went to town Riding on a pony Stuck a feather in his cap And called it macaroni I mean this is silly-song today in 2016 and something little kids would love but did you ever wonder why Yankee Doodle cannot tell the difference between birds and pasta? Well, macaroni is not actually referring to food, in 1776 it meant an overly fashionable man. In other words, a male who tries to hard to be hip and cool. Wait, did England just compare us to the fat dude wearing skinny jeans? Yankee Doodle keep it up (read: this is entertaining, like watching an ugly guy ask out the hottest girl in school) Yankee Doodle Dandy (dandy following our macaroni theme) Mind the music and the steps (said in such a way as to insinuate Americans cannot dance or follow rhythm) And with the girls be handy (This line is more literal than you thought in 5th grade) Don't believe me yet, well read this stanza which never made your patriotic hymn book Yankee Doodle came to town, For to buy a firelock, We will tar and feather him, And so we will John Hancock. (thanks Wikipedia) Hancock, as you probably know, was the leader of the Continental Congress so that's a pretty clear statement as to the intention of this song. So what happened? How did this diss track become a sign of patriotism and American nationalism? Well, like any great diss track you use the same beat to write your response. Competing versions, including an American version with 15 separate stanzas inundated the ears of Americans and Europeans alike. There are even claims that Americans played the song after the British surrender of Saratoga. Savage. The result is the weird hodge podge of a song we now mindlessly sing every July, so go ahead and give it a real listen this year. |
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August 2016
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