4th of July- Not just an American Bank Holiday

In the absence of fireworks or even BBQ, how do you celebrate the 4th of July?

This year, my party plans were foiled by “someone’s” last minute business meeting. Of course this is a risk when you live in a country where your “Big Day” is not a recognized holiday.

So instead of fireworks and festivities, I’ve decided that in the true spirit of Independence Day, today is the perfect opportunity for American History Night at home! Sound like fun? Well, somehow I’ve managed to get the kids very excited about this prospect and no, it is not their punishment for telling their teachers in the past that they are English, by mistake. The logic that French speakers are French and English speakers are English is understandable from a four year old. This logic has taken on a new twist now that their French Fluency is teetering toward dominance, and with it their cultural identity. Time for an intervention!

Last night I thought back to my own childhood and got very nostalgic and excited when I realized that a Schoolhouse Rock Marathon would be the perfect way to cure their American identity crisis. After watching the No More Kings video above and the 20 other School House Rock classics on YouTube, they will never again be confused about being British! They will also be able to chuckle along with me when the British, even the BBC, refer to the 4th of July as just an American bank holiday; skipping entirely the Independence mention!

By the time my husband makes his way back from his meeting this evening, the kids should be reciting the pledge of allegiance on cue and singing the Star Spangled Banner with gusto. Don’t worry, I’ve planned for the kids to spend extra weeks in the USA this summer to complete the brainwashing, just in case!

(I’ve already ordered the Special 30th Anniversary Edition of Schoolhouse Rock. If only all things could be explained in such a fun and interesting way! Kids of all ages can appreciate learning American History in 3 minutes; set to nice music with cute and clever animation. The story of how Schoolhouse Rock was created is interesting too. )

Happy Independence Day!

And lastly, one giving credit to the French for helping us out a bit:-)

Not directly related to the 4th of July, but here is my all time favorite; I’m just a Bill.

Oh and Conjunction Junction, of course! oh, and

Oh, and I’ll stop now. Which one is your favorite?

Tagged as: fireworks, home post, independence day, patriotism, red white & blue, Schoolhouse Rock, stars& stripes