Thursday, July 5, 2007

4th of July in the U.S of A


US Independence Day is the birthday of the United States of America and is celebrated on the Fourth of July each year. It is the anniversary of the day on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. That means America has celebrated 231 years of independence! In terms of age, my 'beloved country' seems a toddler when compared to this 'old' nation. I wonder what Malaysia would be like when she reached 200?!. If wishes could come true... I wish to see her growing old gracefully, preserving her natural beauty - forests, mountains, rivers and valleys , able to tap her existing resources & generate new, abundant in knowledge and wealth, practice positive values - culturally and spiritually. I also wish to see her safe, healthy and wise. It's sad to even think she would be infested with many negative values that America practices at her age today!

Hear Ye The Declaration of Independence signed by America's forefathers, I guess holds many meanings and may be interpreted however way that benefits anyone. Quoting part of it: "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".
Case in point : the recently passed law for Gay Marriages in Massachusetts! What will they think of NExt?
Question Mark
One event that's similar to all when celebrating Independence Day is the fireworks!. Quoting John Adams, one of the founders of this nation, said, "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty ( doa selamat la tuu..!!). It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore."

Back home, we normally 'sparked' after the midnight countdown of the day before. However, here it's held on the evening of July 4th around 9 or 10pm. That way, it won't be too late in the night and the whole family including babies can stay and watch the one hour spectacular show!. Boston's Independence Day fireworks is ranked 3rd BEST after New York City, so a group of us : 2 men, 3 teens, 2 children, 3 ladies + one 7 months pregnant :), decided to walk alongside others, thrudging through the 'drizzle' (which later turned to 'shower'!), towards Charles River just to witness Boston City Skies exploded & lit up like creations of art to the tune of the amazingly designed fireworks. It was a cold wet night but that didn't stop hundreds - some even setup tents!- to fill up the banks of Charles River. But, somehow like Shahmi, the 9year old who huddled close to me for warmth and kept me occupied with his knowledge of fireworks, we WISHed we were in front of the TV! No

2 comments:

sand said...

I'm not sure if my first comment got through. I was asked to create a blogger account, and I did, and it led me back here. But anyway, my first comment was like this "Tere la english you Ainal...I envy you, I wish I'm there....mazni."
So it's me Mazni here wishing I could work and live there.

zidnee 'ilmaa said...

Dear Mazni;
Sorry did not receive yr first comment. Thanx anyway. I am not working at the moment, just keeping house! :)As for living - its just temporary. While we're still here, u're welcome to visit..:)

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