Happy 4th of July! :)

[louis33705]

Wow! What an emotional weekend this has been. Thank you so much for posting this. My Father and his ancestors are the Native People of this land. However, your video beings back memories of my maternal Grandfather. His name was Jose Antonio. He was born in Asturia, Spain. He came from a very poor village and family. When he was nine years old, his aunt and uncle announced that they were tired of all the poverty, had saved money and were going to American. My great grandparents asked them to take Jose so he could start a new life. It was a big sacrifice, but a sacrifice of Love. They came across the Atlantic on a ship and eventually settled in Tampa living in a small apartment above what is known now as the Ritz Theatre in Ybor City. My great aunt, Demetria lived in that apartment until she died. The memories of her are still so vivid in my mind. My brother and I would walk to her apt after school until my parents could pick us up. She always had vanilla wafers and milk ready for our snack. What I always remember about her is the smell of onions and garlic in her apt from the food she was cooking. Prior to all this, my Grandfather had grown up and opened a cafe in the corner of the building next to the Ritz Theatre. My Grandmother cooked the food, my Grandfather was the waiter and my Mother took care of the ice cream bar. The cafe was eventually closed down in forclosure during the depression due to the fact my Grandfather was feeding people for free during that time and not bringing enough money in to pay the bills. This is not the end of the story. The point here is that my Grandfather came to live the American Dream and that is exactly what he did. I am here today because of his parents' decision to send him here.

Our country is the most wonderful country in the world. Throughout history, People have died to come and live the dream we have to offer. Yet, we have idiots like donald trump who make disparaging remarks about immigrants who forget who and where they came from.

America is the symbol for freedom. It is the Land where all races, cultures, religions, etc. are free to live their lives in peace and harmony. It reminds me of a scene from the movie Titanic where a young Italian says, "I go to America!"

Thank you God for my Life, my Country and my Freedom.

 

[tampa24]

Thanks for sharing all that Louis!

 

[BrokeStraightBoys]

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July.

 

[BSBRyanFields]

I know it's late hah but I hope everyone had a great 4th

 

[BSBRyanFields]

hope nobody blew their hands or fingers off hahaha i myself had a blast and lit my first lantern for sure a good year to remember

 

[louis33705]

The Star Spangled Banner. My intentions are not to start a controversial discussion. I am posting this video as a historic documentary of the creation of our National Anthem. Enjoy!

 

[stowe1]

The Star Spangled Banner. My intentions are not to start a controversial discussion. I am posting this video as a historic documentary of the creation of our National Anthem. Enjoy!

I'm posting this as a native Baltimorean and a student of history. While there are some historically accurate facts in this video, there are so many errors and inaccuracies (it even had some of the wrong words in the lyrics shown at the end) that I thought it might be a spoof. Google "The Star Spangled Banner" and read the first result from the Smithsonian.

 

[tampa24]

hope nobody blew their hands or fingers off hahaha i myself had a blast and lit my first lantern for sure a good year to remember

I'm glad you had a good time Ryan. All digits and appendages are still intact over here. lol I watched a great show outside that night.

 

[tampa24]

The Star Spangled Banner. My intentions are not to start a controversial discussion. I am posting this video as a historic documentary of the creation of our National Anthem. Enjoy!

I enjoyed this Louis. Thank you!

 

[Ambivalent]

I'm posting this as a native Baltimorean and a student of history. While there are some historically accurate facts in this video, there are so many errors and inaccuracies (it even had some of the wrong words in the lyrics shown at the end) that I thought it might be a spoof. Google "The Star Spangled Banner" and read the first result from the Smithsonian.

****************************************

Dear Stowe ~

Thank you very much, for providing a little critique and balance, on this issue ;-) As all the world knows, I love Louis very dearly, but the documentary he has shared is (indeed) riven with historical inaccuracies, and isn't quite fair, to our side, in the War of 1812. Not only is it inaccurate, it is quite politically polemical. (It rather presents our side, as being monsters.)

I apologize to Louis, because he is a darling, and meant no harm. And this oughtn't be raised on America's happy anniversary, as a nation. But - - - very few Americans realize that the War of 1812 was (in effect) CANADA's War of Independence. Absolutely, the new United States had, at that time, many legitimate grievances with the United Kingdom (like the impressment of sailors, British support for American Indian nations, and various trade issues - though the trade and embargo policies of American governments didn't help, either. Neither did the policies of the United States' erstwhile French allies.)

However, in the War of 1812, many of the great statesmen of the new United States of America believed that conquering Canada would be simple. In 1812, former President Thomas Jefferson famously said, "The acquisition of Canada this year, as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a mere matter of marching. Upon the whole, I have known no war entered into, under more favorable circumstances."

Happily, Canada did survive, thanks in no small part to the great Shawnee Chief, Chief Tecumseh. But of course, it was a narrow affair. And one which virtually all Americans have forgotten - as the larger, much more powerful country - but which Canadians - as the smaller, humbler one, have not. This is why, Louis, I am glad that Stowe has noted the historical inaccuracies, and I note the polemical and ideological tone, of the "documentary", The Star-Spangled Banner, as you've never heard it. It sort of makes me bristle. ;-)))

For all that, Louis:
*I am sorry to be such a killjoy ;-)
*Despite the fact that I tease my American friends a lot, by times, I DO love you all!
*My boyfriend is American, as you may recall ;-)
*The wondrous and inspiring thing is that, after all those early enmities, the United States and Canada have come to be. . . probably the two nations on earth which can justly be regarded, as "best friends" ~ "The longest undefended border in the world", so the saying goes.
*In all wars and all endeavours since 1812, our nations have been best friends, and staunch allies. This is a very GOOD thing.

In a matter of historical accuracy and truth, I am afraid I cannot simply be silent, and let a travesty pass, as history. (Though I apologize for being so impolite, in the context of a HAPPY thread, I thank Stowe heartily, for noting the unfairness and inaccuracy of the documentary, noted, supra. Thank you, Stowe!)

All that being said - the United States is a great nation. Americans are (if one is inclined to posit generalizations, though I usually am not) great PEOPLE, who in their history have done far more good in the world, than anything else. And, the "Star-Spangled Banner" is a beautiful and stirring anthem, of which you all can be rightly, PROUD.

God Bless America,
"A" XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

P.S. Here, embedded in this link, is a beautiful, honourable, and accurate history of the U.S. National Anthem, as presented by Maryland Public Television. I hope you enjoy it! http://www.mpt.org/anthem/

 

[Ambivalent]

hope nobody blew their hands or fingers off hahaha i myself had a blast and lit my first lantern for sure a good year to remember

******************************************

I'm glad you are intact and in good health, Mr. Fields! You are, of course, a great joy to all your friends, here. (I would humbly suggest that, anywhere you are - you ARE the fireworks ;-))) God bless America. . . and God bless you!!! Take care, dear Ryan.

"A" XOXOXOXOXO