Travel Goals

1. Climb to Everest Base Camp.
2. Climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
3. Learn to Scuba Dive.
4. Visit every continent.
5. See the Galapagos Islands.
6. Sail down the Amazon River.
7. Climb Ayer's Rock.
8. Ride the Trans-Siberian.
9. Go into space.
10. Go wild at La Tomintina.
11. See the sunrise from Mt. Fuji.
12. Gaze at Borobudor.
13. Visit the Pyramids
14. Safari in East Africa.
15. Go to the World Cup!
16. See Machu Picchu.
17. Join the Century Club.
18. Visit Antarctica.
19. Do development work.
20. See Petra Jordan.
21. Backpack the Eastern Block.
22. See the Northern Lights.
23. Vegas Baby! Vegas!
24. Greek Island hop.
25. Cycle Tuscany.
26. Visit India.
27. Lounge in the Seychelles.
28. See Morocco.
29. Oktoberfest!
30. Caravan across the Sahara.
31. Visit Tibet.
32. Fly first class.
33. Go to Israel.
34. Carnival!!!!
35. Mardi Gras!
36. Cannes Film Festival.
37. Sundance Film Festival.
38. Eat a sushi meal at NOBU
39. Pacific Island hop.
40. Spend a night in the Ice Hotel.
41. See Glacier National Park.

Learn a Foreign Language

Are you planning to travel around Europe? Why not learn Italian or French before you go to maximize your experience.

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Today’s July 4th, American Independence Day. Across the nation, Americans are taking work off and celebrating the day we declared independence from British rule. Since it falls on a Friday this year, everyone is extra thrilled about the three day weekend. Celebrations, fireworks, and barbecues are taking place in every corner of the land. Just like with Memorial Day, today’s blog will be about the holiday!

History of July 4th
On July 4th 1776, British colonists declared their independence from the crown. Tensions had been high for years as the crown imposed laws and restrictions the colonists felt violated their rights as Englishmen. Prior to 1763, colonists enjoyed great autonomy from the King. However, after the war with the French, the King found himself in debt. The King decided that the colonists days of autonomy were over. In 1763, he restricted their expansion west. No need to to get into any more wars with the French right now. Then over the ensuing years, he and parliament passed an slew of laws designed to tax the colonists so they paid for their own defense and the cost of the war. It was to protect them right? They should pay!

Well, the colonists weren’t too happy about this. Though subjects of the King, they had enjoyed what historians call the period of salutary neglect. They were allowed to do what they wanted with little interference as long as they kept the goods flowing to England. The colonists weren’t too keen on now being told what to do. To make matters worse, they felt their rights as Englishmen were being violated by being taxed without their consent. “No Taxation without representation” was the catchphrase. They might not have minded being taxed but only if they had a say in it. The crown also quartered troops in homes which violated the age old principle that a man’s home was his private domain.

So fast forward a bit to 1776. The Battle of Lexington and Concord was old news. The colonists were in rebellion now. Despite viewing themselves as Englishmen, the only logical course of action was independence, though for some it was with a heavy heart. Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence and, on July 4th, the signing was complete and we declared that “in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another.” The colonists celebrated the day with fireworks, gunfire, and partying. The tradition continued informally until 1941when Congress declared the day a federal holiday. The day has always had major importance to Americans and is our biggest secular holiday.

July 4th Celebrations
Americans celebrate the holiday in various ways. Since the declaration was first read in 1776, July 4th has been synonymous with festivities and, of course, fireworks. (And, of course, alcohol too!)

Beach (Outdoors)
If you live near the beach and the weather is nice, you’ll be there. Americans love to use this day to spend at the beach. Up and down the coasts, beaches are packed with people looking to catch some rays before the night’s fireworks. For those more inland (and there’s a lot!), many people head out to the woods, lakes, rivers, and national parks to relax, get in touch with nature, socialize, and celebrate.

BBQ
Fourth of July BBQs are as American as apple pie and, if you’re not having one, at least ten people you know are. This hugely popular tradition gets everyone together for two of the holiday’s most important past times: watching fireworks and drinking. BBQs are a must for anyone wanting to celebrate the holiday.

Parades
Most cities and towns have Fourth of July day parades where local organizations and groups honor the country, history, and its servicemen. Many of the bigger ones have historical reenactors as well as old fife and drum bands.

Fireworks
Nothing says you love your country more than blowing up a small piece of it. Pretty much every city in America has a fireworks celebration. People across America have their own celebrations. You’ll hear the sound of M80s all day long. When the sun goes down, everyone trickles out from their BBQs to watch their town’s fireworks. (The best BBQs are the ones where you can see the fireworks without having to leave the party!) The biggest and most famous fireworks displays are in Boston, Washington, D.C., New York, and Philadelphia.

Go out and celebrate the founding of America. If you’re not American, go hang out with some and join in the fun! It’s a good excuse to socialize. So HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

7 Responses to “American Independence Day”

1. Julie on July 4th, 2008 4:24 pm

   Happy 4th, Matt! You didn’t tell us how you’ll be celebrating!!

   Peace,
   Julie

2. NomadicMatt on July 4th, 2008 6:30 pm

   @Julie: I’m working all weekend! Have to earn those dollars since I’m leaving in 9 days!

3. Cristina on July 4th, 2008 8:26 pm

   Hi Matt,

   Congratulations for your site! I have to say that I’m really impressed!
   Since I became addicted to reading travel blogs, I just found yours theses days, and I wish I had more free time to read it all!! =)
   It is really inspiring…

   It’s nice to know more about the 4th of July and why it is so important to North Americans!
   In Brazil our Independence Day is on the 7th of September, but people don’t have their own celebrations, I mean.. the country has, each city has.. but not each home.
   I guess because it’s holiday… and Brazilians just want to go to the beach! hehehe

   Nice to “meet” you, mate..

4. NomadicMatt on July 5th, 2008 7:22 pm

   @christine: thanks for visiting the site. It’s good to meet you too. I quite enjoy your site!

5. FleeceTraveler on July 5th, 2008 8:25 pm

   The history of Independence Day succinctly described in 3 paragraphs – great job! Do you enjoy history as much as traveling?

6. Conrad on July 6th, 2008 11:30 am

   Hehe, despite my nearly all Turkish running crew here in Istanbul, I managed to celebrate the fourth of july with a backyard BBQ packed with Americans. It was great, totally felt like I was in the states.

7. Priyank on July 6th, 2008 5:21 pm

   Congratulations. That quick lesson in history was very useful to me

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