"Apparently it's some sort of holiday in the States."

I just have to grin in a way that will probubly infuriate "good patriots" at this statement. Mostly because I know the manerism and expression in which you would have spoken it. :D

It's a good day to celebration/remember though - despite the current state of the country. The actions that occured were rather audatious and even if not totally "right" (or noble or however people might view them) did have long lasting implications that chaged history. I would have loved to see the expressions on the faces of King George and his officials for example when the declaration actually reached him.