I’m old enough to remember the Bicentennial celebrations in 1976. As I recall, the U.K. government paid for a full-page advertisement in several major U.S. newspapers, which said: “Dear America, Happy birthday! Love, Mum.”
I was blessed to have graduated high school in ‘76. It was so neat with the country being so patriotic and celebrating such a milestone event in my life!
When my sister was in college, she did a summer study program in London. On the 4th of July, she and some friends decided to go to a pub and drink and sing patriotic songs. They went to the pub to drink but chickened out on the songs, not wanting to cause a ruckus. When the barman found out they were American, he gave them a free round. Talk about no hard feelings.
Perhaps that barman, remembers that the U.S. pulled their fat from the fire in both World Wars. But for me a most memorable occasion, on Sep. 13, 2001, the Queen of England had her band play our national anthem for the first time ever as a memorial for our losses on 911. What a class act by a great lady.
One song that one should NEVER sing in England is "My Country 'Tis of Thee" because it uses the same melody as Britain's national anthem, "God Save the King". That'll get ya some trouble for sure!
@@dallasarnold8615 "the U.S. pulled their fat from the fire in both World Wars." - and vice versa. Let's not forget that had the Brits not stood against the Germans in WW2, the Americans would have faced a Nazi nuclear armed superpower for decades.
@@maidenminnesota1 Our church pianist played a medley of patriotic music during the offertory time this past Sunday, and I knew I was a dyed in the wool Anglophile when he started to play "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" and my immediate first thought was "Why is he playing 'God Save The Queen'?!" 😂 (And yes, I also know the UK has a King now, but the song was "God Save The Queen" for the majority of my life, and my subconscious hasn't caught up with the change yet.)
I mean, we never had problem with most of the people, just the government, so it really doesn't surprise me that eventually we're like, whatever, that's ancient history and basically work together perfectly fine with plenty of ribbing.
We used to be British for the most part and we still have a lot in common culturally. We had a break up but neither of us really changed culturally-at least not in the most important areas.
It's because even at the time we realized that who we were fighting were the greedy and powerful - never the PEOPLE of Britain. Remember, we came from there and many Americans still had strong family ties to the country at the time. The American cause had much more support in the UK than people tend to realize and to be honest we probably wouldn't have won the war if the Howe brothers hadn't been pulling their punches to give us the opportunity to come back into the fold. Just because the King and Parliament were wronging us doesn't mean we didn't still love our English grandma.
Funny story. As an American educator, I happen to be in the UK once on the 4th of July and we visited some school sites where the lovely children greeted us with American flags and a well-rehearsed recitation of history indicating that (and I quote...) "Good King George granted the colonies their freedom." All of us Americans smiled and politely applauded and whispered among ourselves "That's not how we learned it? " 🙂 Later that night, our hosts at Cambridge presented us a lovely "traditional" 4th of July dinner consisting of turkey, pumpkin soup, and cranberry sauce. Again, we didn't have the heart to tell them they had their holiday feasts confused so we politely thanked them and ate it all with a smile. Happy 4th!!!
Haha bless theiur hearts, sounds like they were being really nice even with the mixups. Or, less likely, they were cleverly trolling you. Which I would also respect because that would be hilarious.
Apple pie being a popular symbol for American living isn’t because of where it was invented. It is because to American soldiers during WWII, their mother’s apple pie became a symbol of the home they missed. It became common to tell reporters that they were serving “for mom and apple pie.” A lot of people don’t know that (it has been awhile), so they just assume that apple pie is so very american that it must have been invented here. To me, the truth is actually more compelling and heartwarming.
I understand that apple pie was actually brought over by the early Dutch settlers. Not sure which story was right, but that's the one I always heard. But I'm from New York, which was originally settled by the Dutch, so maybe some partisanship there.
I’m a Brit and I’ve been in the USA for 10 years. Anytime a fellow American asks me my opinion on july 4th. I simply answer that as a Brit if I had been told that I had to pay taxes but get no representation in return i imagine most including myself would have put up a middle finger too
@@Ichthyodactyl The Americans liked tea too, they just made the hard decision of doing that because they knew it would hurt the British government way more than the colonists who just had to stop drinking tea for a while. The government had to deal with a ton of angry merchants and lost taxes
@@CrizzyEyes yes and american was starting to trade tea for coffee because the brits dont drinks coffee (not saying all or now ) kinda like a double f u this is when coffee got big in america
My husband was born in Scotland, and he has a . . . . well . . . . a Scottish opinion of England. Every year on the Fourth of July, he reads us Robert Burns' poem "Ode to George Washington."
Considering my family's Irish background, who came to the US to escape the Potato Famine... Yeah, I think the Irish opinion of England might be very similar to Scottland's >__>
My family fled here from Scotland in the 1600s and 1700s. Little thing called enforced poverty gifted to us from the British Crown. It's still in every drop of our blood to hate the English and anyone calling themselves a royal.
@@fennec13The Scots co-founded the British Empire and were just as much responsible for the colonisation of Ireland. Don’t let fucking Braveheart fool you
I'm a Brit living in Indiana, I work in retail and on July 4th I wore a t shirt that said: "HAPPY TREASON DAY UNGRATEFUL COLONIALS!" The customers loved it and a couple of people took photos of it 😂😂😂
I am just your average American, I go in with all the hype on the major holidays, but going into a store and seeing you wearing that shirt would have made my year. Sure, we have the over the top fellas, but most of us enjoy a good ribbing from time to time.
I have a friend from work that flew to London from California on the 4th of July a few years ago. He walked into a pub the first night, looked around, and everyone was drinking cans of BUDWEISER! He exclaimed "I just flew 6,000 miles in the hope of getting some good British ale, and here you are knocking back Bud brewskis!" Turns out the pub was having a special on Budweiser in honor of the 4th of July!
The horrors! I Budweiser is the symbol of all things wrong with American "domestic beer". A nation built on the production of ale is reduced to this. The pilgrims landed where they did because they ran out of beer! Thank G-d for the blessings of well-crafted IPAs. I even grow the hops and brew my own IPA and APA styles. Cheers! 🍻
As an American, i view the UK as something like an elder sibling, and the rest of the anglo sphere like younger siblings. We’re family. We might argue and annoy each other. We might all look at mom (the old British Empire) the same way, but, we’ll stand up for each other. You might tease a sibling mercilessly, but you protect them from others.
I'm a chauffeur in Boston. I was driving some British businessmen to the airport. As we drive past the bunker hill monument one of my passengers asked what the monument was for. I said "well, this is awkward...um...well, technically you won the battle...but you lost the war."
We've given thanks for the loss ever since. The only thing worse than losing that war would've been winning it - the thought of what might have been makes me tremble!
Americans never forget that Britain was our ally during WWI an WWII. That awareness pretty much overrides whatever animosity might linger from the War for Independence.
They have basically stood with us through every war we have been in. I appreciate our bros across the pond. So people stop trying to correct me in the comments, I'm talking about through and after the World Wars.
Yes yes but still we must keep watch for any ships with British flags headed towards our shore… you won’t trick us Britain! We’re wise to your long game! Waiting hundreds of years to wait till our guards are down to then gain the upper hand.
At one of my jobs a co-worker (a really good guy) had emigrated from the U.K. years before and had since become an American citizen. Over a period of time friends he met while serving in the Royal Navy also emigrated and became American citizens. This group and their wives get together every Fourth of July to celebrate the day. The first time he related this to me I have to admit I was confused, then he said: "Remember, we were NAVY - the ARMY lost..........." That was a great line. 🤣
King George III was in the habit of keeping a record of his doings with a daily journal. Places he went, people he met, activities, meetings, important events, inconsequential occurrences, all would be jotted down along with his thoughts and musings on the events of the day. Sometimes his journal entries for a single day would run to more than a dozen pages or more. However, in one of those interesting historical ironies, his journal entry for July 4th, 1776 was a mere five words long: "Nothing of note happened today." I've always loved that story. There's a guy who really could've benefitted from Twitter. It wasn't until early September that news of the colonies' declaration of independence would reach London.
I thought it was "Nothing of importance happen today." .. or something along those line but I've heard about that and it was hilarious to then get the news months later .. 😅
@@Warriorcats64 yes, during those periods when he was non compos mentis, there would likely have been no journals kept. However, when he was lucid, he would keep his diaries up to date.
@@10thdoctor15 Yeah, but with a green card or visa. He got his ACTUAL CITIZENSHIP about a year ago. He has a video where he talks about it. Frequent visitors (or anyone watching the entire video) would know this. Listen around 5:10 or so.
The thing I am reminded of most about the British People is that right after America was struck on 9-11, 2 days later during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace on that day per the order of the Queen Of England herself, the Royal Orchestra played the United States National Anthem. This confirmed to me that our nations are brothers forever. Happy Fourth, brother!
@@thecoolone777parent and child implies some type of power dynamic. People saying they're like brothers are just trying to point out that they're equal.
@@thecoolone777 The US has many parents. The UK was the narcissistic parent who goes ballistic and tries to beat up the kid for finally managing to assert some wish for independence. Then shows up on the adult kid's porch (twice) looking for money and assistance because it's fallen afoul of its equally narcissistic neighbors. Then as an old narcissist, has lost any real power but still sits around in assisted living, continuing to gaslight and criticize the adult kid who nevertheless faithfully and dutifully visits and oversees the parent's care despite all the abuse.
It's disrespectful just as he intended it to be. It's weird how he often says he loves America but he's very disrespectful about it and often makes jokes about America and Americans. Just like his GW T shirt, that is also disrespectful and he knows it that's why he chose it. It's his way of making a joke about the father of our country. Frankly I don't understand why he moved here and why he became a citizen?
@@lennybuttz2162 I don't think anyone is so uptight as to feel that would be disrespectful. Besides, the English are America's most reliable ally. Pretty much any conflict we were in the UK was backing us up for over 20 years.
@@dant.3505 Telling a joke for a laugh is one thing, no problem. Lawrence is very subtle about his sarcasm and his jokes, they're often mean spirited. He makes the jokes on such a regular basis it seems like it's based in a great disdain for America and Americans. I suspect he's only here because of his wife although he doesn't seem the least bit affectionate toward her?
I lived in England for four years with the US Military. I always found it to be very surreal to celebrate Independence day on an American Operated, English owned base. The icing on the oddness cake was that, as it was a British base, the English were often in attendance as well, as it was a bit of a fair on the base topped off with the fireworks display. Always made sure to go, even when the weather wasn't the best.
I (an active duty member of the USAF) celebrated 4th of July with the British at an RAF base in Cyprus. We displayed the United Stated flag and of course sang our national anthem. We also displayed the British flag and sang I believe To the Queen. It was one of the most patriotic celebrations that I have ever attended. Quite an occasion when you consider that Americans on a RAF base are guests of the Queen.
It was a great celebration this year - the weather was perfect in the north of England when the bases had their fireworks and the local Brits were wondering what was going on.😊
About 8 years ago my wife and I took a trip to England and Scotland. We flew over on July 3rd and arrived in London on the 4th. Our hotel's restaurant had special meal that night in celebration of Independence Day! They were serving turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce!
@@10thdoctor15 This place had signs up saying “Happy Independence Day” with red, white and blue banners. The turkey, etc was the only option on the menu.
My dad was an American Air Force officer, and we were stationed in England when I was a kid in the 70’s. Please note that we lived off base, and I went to British schools and had a proper accent. This happened to overlap with both the 1976 US bicentennial and QE’s silver jubilee. Then we moved to New Mexico and I dropped that accent like a hot rock. Good times.
As someone whose father was in the US Navy, we lived in England for a while. I learned to speak (I was that young) with a good British middle class accent. Now, I have a solid Mid-Western “American” accent and can’t even fake an English accent to save my life.
@@andreperrault5393 I didn't even go that far. Born in and grew up with a London accent. Moved to Northern Ireland and lost my accent naturally. Now have a stronger Belfast accent than my Belfast born and bred mrs and like you, can't even fake my old accent.
I dont know why so many of my fellow Americans give Brits such a hard time on Independence day. The whole thing would have been impossible without them!
Good joke. But seriously, we're the nation of "F*** around and find out". We were founded on defiance, prefer to be chill, but when someone starts telling us what to do it is in our instinct to want to fight them. Our founding fathers did not wage a massive war with a nation across the ocean just to be taking smoke from the British 200 years later.
Americans never had an issue with the British people, only King George III. We still love you, Britain! It says a lot about the British people that they can join in the fun and teasing on the 4th of July. Truly good people.
Generally I don't see Americans as having a problem with the people of any country but the British do have their problems a prejudices many people in the UK look down on Americans and they rarely miss a chance to say something nasty about us. Yes, they cover it up as humor or sarcasm but it is genuine.
I do. Never forgive those damned red coats! JK not really, but I think the idea of holding a grudge against the British 250 years later is a funny bit 😂
@arkdestroyer5730 I am an American and I know it's not all British people it is a lot of them. I think most times they hide it behind humor but that's just a ruse. The Brits do have a snotty attitude not just about Americans but I think against every nation. Whenever a British person talks about another country it's usually in a negative context. Look at how they talk about the Irish and the Scots.
@SunnyDaze-uq8ed I have 2 wods for you Sunny but youtube doesn't like it when I type them so I'll just leave the initials; F.Y. I wonder if saying, "Eat Me" is against the rules? LOL Put the pipe down and come back to reality ms. Dazed and Confused.
It was fall term at college, and we had a visiting Professor from England. One of the students absent-mindedly asked her " Do you guys celebrate Thanksgiving in England ? And she replied " Yes, we celebrate that cause we're so happy that you guys left.
My wife's British-born mum was born on 4 July. She moved to the states in the 60s (not the same invasion, sorry) and became a citizen after marrying a Texan. She has lots of reasons to celebrate, and always reminds us how many people celebrate with her on the 4th. 92 this year!
Interesting. My dad's British-born mum was also born on the 4th of July at a place called Bolton outside of Manchester. Small world. (Just a one in 365 chance of that I suppose.)
It's interesting. Honestly, the 4th of July to me as an American feels more like "wooo our nation was born that day!" rather than "haha the brits lost!"
That and/or the affirmation of the governing principals that our independence was intended to establish. I see a lot of celebration that revolves heavily around the embracement of democratic rule. So even then, less about the brits losing and more about no longer being under monarchic rule.
I agree. I don't know anyone who has ever said otherwise. It's stupid because it wasn't about winning a war especially since they didn't want to have to go to war with them in the first place. It's about freedom from a tyrannical government. And I think of that now concerning our own government.
The Brits didn't lose on July 4. That didn't happen for eight more brutal years. We would do well to remember the colonials and imitate their relentlessness.
I totally agree. I'm not sure if I know anyone who even thinks of England on the 4th of July. Fireworks, BBQ, Freedom, and the colors: red, white, and blue, though, 💯.
yeah I never really thought of it like that, tho I do feel like if I had a british friend I might make a joke about it in a very non-serious way. The other thing is from what I understand the British could have won if they contributed enough resources to the effort we basically just put up enough of a fight that king George decided it wasn't worth it anymore. It was definitely a big loss for the British since their huge empire surrendered to a ragtag colonial militia but it wasn't as if we were literally stronger than they were at that point in history.
Well as an American who loves the fourth- i love ur stuff and appreciate the British as our Allie’s! We kept the world free in WW1 & WW2. The world needed us both
I had a British friend who also didn't know what the 4th of July was for, and she had been living in the United States for years. I couldn't imagine living in a country for that long and not being at least a little bit curious about it's major holidays.
I expect an adult person coming to the UK would get confused about 5th of November, since it's history is taught in schools and then never spoken about again. Let's face it, these holidays, in any country, is mostly about capitalism at the end of the day. Companies wanting to sell us fireworks, beer, greetings cards, etc. Just like Christmas and Easter.
@jamesdenning5724 that's victim mentality. It's the 4th of July, so I choose to go out and buy shit as an excuse to celebrate. Capitalism isn't forcing me into anything. Companies get money, and I get to have fun. It's a mutually beneficial exchange.
On 9/12/01, Queen Elizabeth had the Star Spangled Banner played outside Buckingham Palace. That made me cry more than the horrible attack on NYC had the previous day. It made me love her and Great Britain for that simple act of kindness and solidarity 🇬🇧🇺🇸 Happy First Independence Day!
I remember that! We were all feeling so horrible, sad, mad, scared, apprehensive during that time and everytime another country would do something in solidarity I'd start crying all over again.
The world is made less in Queen Elizabeth's absence, she vowed to serve her people for all the days of her life when she ascended to the throne, a promise she kept faithfully.
Me too! It was the single most meaningful tribute for me. Because they said in all the years there had been a Britian in the world, they had never played another countries anthem. That and the town of Gander Newfoundland in Canada and how they took care of all the planes.
This was also my husband's first 4th as a US Citizen! His swearing in was back in December 2022. For the 4th, we went to visit friends who live in Indiana actually. They all live in or around Muncie, which is about as "small town" as you can get these days. No parade, but there was a fireworks show at the local small plane air port.
Ooh, Lawrence, your funny video reminded me of my family’s history with England. My family has been in The States a long time, but I’m pretty sure they were in Britain during the Rev war. That’s true for lots of Americans of English descent. My mother was an American Army nurse during WWII. She was in England for the duration of the war. She loved England and had many English friends. Nobody was thinking about the Revolutionary War. Many years later I was in London talking to an elderly man at a pub. When I told him about my mother, he started to tear up and said, “We’ll never be able to thank the Americans for what they did for us.” We weren’t thinking about 1776 then, either. Happy Independence Day to everyone!
Not really they do not even teach Brits the real history of what they have done to the world for many Kings own wealth. And they just do not wanna piss us off again.
On the island of Cyprus, a while ago, I was able to have “American Pie” (peach pie). Also, it was great seeing the British in fancy clothes playing “rounders” before having hotdogs and hamburgers cooked in a barbecue grill by some of us “colonials” (Americans) on the Fourth of July. Friendly competition and great fun for all.
"I wish I could say the same about myself", "no prize for guessing who gets sunburned the quickest", "the pun never sets on the British Empire"... Laurence, you've given me a few chuckles this evening, and for that, I thank you. 😅Happy 4th to one of America's newest and most charming citizens!
I work with a fellow who immigrated to the U.S. from Scotland, last year he wished our team, "Happy Traitors Day!" on the 4th of July, I LMAO! From his perspective, that's true.
I lived in Dublin from 1972 to 1978. On the 4th, the American embassy always had a party and invited all the American kids from my university. You had together dressed up and be extremely polite. One year, none of us went. We had a BBQ instead.
That's an abomination of a 4th of July if you have to dress up. You made the right decision. You're supposed to eat hot dogs and burgers (Generally, BBQ and all the sides) and get drunk. Light off a few fireworks, maybe risk a finger or two, then pass out in a folding chair around a campfire. I'm not even particularly patriotic by American standards, but if Americans aren't behaving like Florida men on the 4th, they aren't doing it right.
lol thats a political embassy for you, you have to be on pins and needles because your around basically high society types. bbq/eating alot, parades and fireworks are what we normally do, unless your super rich.
@@Nightout88 I wouldn't want to of the be super rich. They spend all their time actively hating America and trying to get it handed over to worldwide communism. I have a WAY better idea: we send THEM where they can get so much communism they can choke on.
On behalf of all of us Americans, I would like to say that we love our brothers and sisters from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Please excuse our exuberance when we celebrate our Independence Day. We love visiting your countries and thoroughly enjoy your gracious hospitality. We sincerely hope you feel the same towards us. Thanks, from the Americans.
To heck with those insecure uncles. Brits will always be close to our hearts. Similar values, shared language, and a wonderful, rich culture. Thank you for the Magna Carta!
Ohhhh it's just like Brazil and Portugal. We pick on them because they stole our gold, we also like to say that if we were colonized by the UK, we would be a good country hahahahahah... it's just like a relationship between coloninzer and former colonies 😂
I think it’s brilliant that distillers in the UK are co-opting the holiday with a bit of wordsmithing. It’s the kind of thing good natured Americans would do! 😁
To be fair, the British people could use a bit of independence from the UK government too. Maybe they could get the right of freedom of speech written in a constitution.
Meh, it reminds me of the American habit of adopting other cultures holidays as reasons to become obnoxiously publicly drunk. Like St. Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo. I'll bet that's just what it is. Capitalism devours everything.
@kirstencorbey8465 That isn't what happened at all. Remember that the US is a melting pot of the various cultures brought in by immigrants from around the world. Large populations of Irish immigrants were celebrating St. Patrick's Day and it spread. Mexican populations were celebrating Cinco de Mayo and it spread. It isn't as if some capitalist saw what was happening in Dublin or Puebla and decided to do it here.
Your shirt kicks ass, Lawrence! I’m so glad to have you as a countrymen! The beauty of the US, is that a native born Brit can be just as American as a native Kansas farm boy like myself! Cheers to your citizenship!
When I first met my best friend, who is British, I asked her if they celebrate the 4 th of July in England. She said “yes, it’s called good riddance day”
I like to believe that the US and the UK will always have mutual admiration for each other, while also slagging each other off like competing siblings. It's so adorable. ❤
Thank you for all the time and effort you put into your videos. This video hit me in the feels. My step-father recently passed away, like you he came to the U.S., and got his citizenship. He was really proud to be an American, but he didn't forget his heritage. He always loved the 4th of July, just so he could hang his British flag. All in good jest, of course. This fourth of July will be different without him around to joke and jest, but to mostly celebrate with friends and family. In his memory I will fly his flag on the 4th.
I remember when the US had it's 200th birthday. The festivity's that day in 1976 on the 4th of July were epic. I can still remember that particular day vividly, even though it was 47 years ago(I was only 10 years old). Happy that I will see Her 250th birthday.
I was just 6 but I member' the country just seemed to shut down for a week. The Bicentennial celebration was a shot in the arm this country needed after the turbulent 60's (probably the biggest societal change in the USA- Music, fashion, Mores, styles, business, travel, the whole zeitgeist, 1960 Vs. 1970 is like apples and oranges) the Kennedy and MLK murders, Viet Nam, the end of the Moon Race, Hippies, Watergate. 74-76 is when we seemed to move past that finally. The rest of the 70's in my young eyes were just Stagflation and women going braless! LOL.
A few years ago I was in London on my honeymoon during the 4th of July. The pub we stopped at had a special menu that featured hotdogs with barbecue sauce, and a variety of American beers that I've never heard of.
As an Anglophile, a fellow Hoosier and a new subscriber to your channel I would like to wish you a happy 4th and welcome you to the US as an official citizen!
I was in Europe with an English tour guide a few years back and wished him a happy 4th and he, in a dry voice with a smile, said "Yes, because why would you want to break away from the greatest empire on earth. I'll never know"
Lawrence, will love and loved the Brits. The revolutionaries thought the King was being a jerk. When we look back, and see it through our modern eyes we still think he was acting kind of like a jerk. We love you and the British people!
When I was in my 20s, living after college in my native urban area of the northeast United States, my community used to come together for a huge 4th of July celebration every year...you know, live music, free beer, bouncy houses... everything that makes America great... Every year, whatever band I was in would play and every year, I'd wear my union jack Tshirt on stage... always a hit...
I had a British plant manager years ago. It was the day before 4 July and I asked what he would be doing to celebrate and stopped myself short and said, “Oh…that was a bad day for you guys!” He laughed facetiously and said, “Hahaha! Very funny you’re fired!” I showed up for work the day after 😝
@@nickgerr1991 aside from that, I am referencing our Nations intertwined histories and the formation of America as an independent nation from its origin as a British set of colonies.
@@davemumbach7350 it matters since not all of the the USA has british ancestry; some german, polish, spanish, etc. We will never see the brits as brothers, just "some country the USA gained its independence from"
That’s because some southern Americans couldn’t accept defeat in civil war and are still trying for payback. I think they forget most of Americans are former immigrants. America is a melting pot.
@woden-hitman1552, as a Brit-born of Irish descent, I can categorically state that the English can't put a patch on you Yanks - you out-Irish even the Irish on St. Paddy's Day...😂😂😂😂
@@fs5775 3:39 Laurence says "July the fourth." Whose language idiom is he invoking here of not the UK's? Definitely not the US with that "the" in there.
I was visiting England in the late 90s and it during early July. I went with my friend that I was visiting to a big box store (something akin to a Meijer’s or Walmart) and they had signs up all over for 4th of July sales which astounded me. So I had my friend snap a pic of me in front of signs with American flags in the meat department so I could show friends back home. It was very surreal!
Though we celebrate our birthday, we’ll never deny the partnership we have with the UK in modern wars. British, Scots, and Aussies are some of the finest soldiers I’ve encountered
I had someone ask me, “How do Americans view the British?” I answered, “It depends which chapter of the History book we are studying at the moment.” French and Indian War: good (although they called us “Yankee Doodles” which was rude) Revolutionary War: bad War of 1812: bad Civil War: Confederacy good, Union bad WW1: good WW2: good Cold War: good
I remember speaking with someone from the UK a while ago who said that their limit of the American Revolution was "I think it was lumped in with the Napoleonic wars. We kind of had a lot more to get through." Which was fair. But later I was talking about fireworks shows and I pointed out that 4th of July Fireworks shows were structured in order to commemorate the battle of Yorktown, (It starts off slow, to represent the initial cannon fire of the incoming British naval fleet, builds up to a climax as the battle progresses, tapers down as battle drags on, and then culminates in a sudden "Grand Finale" to show the British Navy surrendering by firing their remaining munitions off away from the battle as a show of disarmament.) Someone else asked why the Battle of Yorktown? And I explained that it was because that was the last battle of the American Revolution and they said "I thought that it was the Battle of New Orleans, or did that not count because the war had ended by that point?" All the Americans then pointed out that no, that was the last battle of the War of 1812 not the American Revolution. Then we found out that apparently there are some Brits who think that those two wars were the same and that America didn't get its Independence until after the War of 1812, which kind of makes sense since that was what caused the War of 1812 in the first place.
There are many historians who consider them one long war with a cease-fire in the middle. Heck, British support for the Confederacy could be considered a proxy continuation of that war too.
Eh, that's fair. Most of us Americans barely know the history of other nations if at all. We can't exactly go around expecting everyone else to have ours memorized.
@@diamondbill7556 So the main thrust of that is the interpretation of the goals and results of the Revolutionary War. From the American perspective the goal was full blown independence and from our interpretation of the Declaration of Independence as well as the Treaty of Paris (1783) that is what we were granted. Now the British, instead, felt that the goal of the war was American Autonomy and so they interpreted it as "The Americas have the right to govern themselves but are still subjects of the British Crown" (Similar to how Canada and Australia are treated today.) This is what lead to the war of 1812, the British Navy felt that because, from their perspective, Americans were still Crown Subjects that they could still press them into naval service. From the American perspective, we had our independence so the British were kidnapping American Citizens and forcing them to fight for them. So from that perspective, yes, an argument could be made that it was a single war. However considering that in that 31 year period we had changed our entire government structure, expanded our territory, entered into diplomatic and financial agreements with foreign entities, and gone through 3 Chief Executive Officers, I would view that as being as wrong as saying that WWI and WWII were the same war with a ceasefire in the middle.
@@ZevVeli It's amazing how often different sides come out of a conflict with totally different perspectives on what was resolved. Both sides may be happy with the outcome but would be livid if they heard the other side explain the resolution. I'm rereading Patrick O'Brian's "The Fortune of War" (book 6 of the Aubrey-Maturin series) and didn't really get why the Royal Navy felt that they could just stop American shipping and press men and find men that had run from the Royal Navy. This helps me appreciate the amazing amount of research that O'Brian put into these masterpieces.
Congratulations on your recent Citizenship! My German Grandfather married my American born to German Citizen Grandparents, came to America, had 3 kids, and earned his Citizenship while I was a kid. It was a very proud Moment in all our lives. I wish you the best. Also, please waive the British Flag next year and record the reactions you get. I imagine it would be hilarious.
It is my wife’s first fourth as a full blown American as well. We have been together for 12 years but she finally took the plunge end of last year. Wish you a happy fourth!
My mother was born in the U.K., and we (my siblings and I) used to tease her on the 4th of July... which just happens to be her birthday. Still, if today anyone tried messing with Britain, the U.S. would come charging, guns locked and loaded.
Watching this a year hence from the time you recorded this, a week to go before July 4, 2024, and always love your videos. An early Happy Birthday to you and America! Keep up the great videos!
I'm in the UK. When I was a kid we used to have hot dogs & other 'American' foods on the 4th. Didn't really understand what the 4th was celebrating. We always had themed meals. Chinese New year, Mexican night, Greek (inspired by family holidays) etc.. We're a very foodie family I guess.
Love this video, I got a chuckle. I love the Brittish people. Even though I am glad we got our independence from them. They will always be our friends. I am glad you became a American citizen.Your videos are great, happy Fourth of July.
Congratulations Lawrence on celebrating this day as an American homeowner! 🥳 As much as we give the Brits a hard time this day, most of the teasing is warm affection because in the past 100 years the relationship between the two countries have in the end led us back to learn to trust each other and to be grateful we’ve come a long ways. The US has a lengthy list of relationships with nearly every country in the world, but it the one we have with the UK that has proven to become dear to us Americans. Not sure if the same the other way haha 😅 but we have valued our British friends across the pond. Have a Happy 4th!
It just goes to show that no matter how bad relations between nations are, it won't have to be that way forever. We fought and won our independence from the UK and had another war decades later, but now I couldn't imagine a world where we weren't friends with our brothers across the pond. Turmoil can heal.
You get sunshine in Central Indiana? Here up in the northern area near the Michigan border we only get roughly 40 days of sun total. The rest is overcast like the British Isles but super soggy because humidity's permanently at 110%. Somehow we can still get sunburned just hours after the morning frost has melted.
Its strange to me how different countries teach history. Alot of Japanese people think we invaded them in WW2, although it was them who attacked our harbor.
Lol! Well, we did invade them. After we nuked them. And then we made a treaty that required them to let us defend them rather than defending themselves. So, we occupied part of their territory for that purpose (and to keep them from doing it again). And we're *still* there! So I'm not surprised they would have the impression we invaded them. And yet, they are also one of our closest allies. Our relationship with them is as reliable as our relationship with the UK.
United States provided (both material and financial) support to China, who was fighting the Japanese. So to the Japanese we invaded their seas. They thought that once the U.S. naval presence in their area was neutralized then they'd be "safe", which is what prompted Pearl Harbor.
@@jimjason5146e stopped selling them oil because they aligned with the axis of power and their conquest in China was pretty much DOA with no fuel, so they wanted to send a message to america. Message received, say hello to fat man and little boy
In a way, I am Laurence's opposite number, having married a Brit and moved to the UK! I even have a TH-cam channel, "A Yank in Sussex" (Sussex being an English county). But sadly, Laurence's channel is much better and more popular than my own. My British wife wants me to hang the US flag in our window to let the neighborhood know that we're celebrating her Yank's independence. I don't think I will, however. Happy 4th to everyone!
@grantorino2325 Once or twice a year, yes! It's okay, but ... not all that great. I like her beef stew a lot, though. It's scrumptious! I make chili twice a month, but no matter how much I go easy on the spicy, it's almost too much for her!
Yeah, I save Christmas Day for when Washington crossed the Delaware as a day to flaunt our victory. A victory over my ancestors, the Germans, who were fighting for the Brits.
@@joelwillems4081Hessian Mercenaries, not the "Germans". Germany as a unified nation did not exist back then. In fact the Prussians who ended up uniting Germany are literally responsible for the creation of the Continental Army. Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben is the reason that the US Continental Army defeated the British.
At this point I never think about whose ass we kicked. It's just an American holiday with flags and fireworks. We've been allies for so long and have been through so many fights together, I think it's ok to just use it to celebrate America and not the winning of a war
I agree with this; even during the Bicentennial, I remember it being more celebratory of becoming an independent country and having freedoms, rather than HOW we became an independent country, etc. We learned how in school, of course, but defeating the British in the late 18th century has never seemed to me to be the focus of Independence Day celebrations. I don't think I've ever met anyone who had a "yeah, we beat them Brits" attitude on any day of the year, let alone on the Fourth of July. 🇺🇸❤🏴🇬🇧 Editing to add, one of my fondest memories is of hearing on Weekend Edition on NPR, on either Saturday or Sunday, 15th or 16th of September, 2001, that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had the Star Spangled Banner played in St. Paul's Cathedral to honor all the lives lost in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. That's when I finally cried, and the memory of hearing of that beautifully respectful gesture still gets me emotional. 💖💖💖
@@dawnkindnesscountsmost5991 It was in front of Buckingham Place. I'd also say forgetting the struggle to become free, demeans the lives lost during that struggle, including the English lives.
1st: Those who do not learn their history are doomed to repeat it. 2nd: People not remembering what caused the Revolutionary War is the reason we are taxed on everything the government can dig their claws into.
I’m old enough to remember the Bicentennial celebrations in 1976. As I recall, the U.K. government paid for a full-page advertisement in several major U.S. newspapers, which said: “Dear America, Happy birthday! Love, Mum.”
Hello Patrick how are you doing. Happy Independence Day😊 🎉
I was blessed to have graduated high school in ‘76. It was so neat with the country being so patriotic and celebrating such a milestone event in my life!
Anyone who has raised a teenager will recognize the struggle
Oh, that's great!
I remember the Bicentennial too, so much flag-inspired ugly clothing. But we needed that after Watergate.
"Take it easy on the cake."
Our founding fathers didn't fight and die so that British people could continue telling us what to do. 😂
ROFLMAO! Very good!
Weren't your founding fathers British though? 😁
Like our founders, he's American now
@@strangelee4400 I believe that most of them were born in America.
For example, I at least know for sure that George Washington was born in Virginia
@@strangelee4400they were American. Well, 😂 I'll give ya Benedict. His ass was British lol
When my sister was in college, she did a summer study program in London. On the 4th of July, she and some friends decided to go to a pub and drink and sing patriotic songs. They went to the pub to drink but chickened out on the songs, not wanting to cause a ruckus. When the barman found out they were American, he gave them a free round. Talk about no hard feelings.
Perhaps that barman, remembers that the U.S. pulled their fat from the fire in both World Wars. But for me a most memorable occasion, on Sep. 13, 2001, the Queen of England had her band play our national anthem for the first time ever as a memorial for our losses on 911. What a class act by a great lady.
One song that one should NEVER sing in England is "My Country 'Tis of Thee" because it uses the same melody as Britain's national anthem, "God Save the King". That'll get ya some trouble for sure!
@@dallasarnold8615 "the U.S. pulled their fat from the fire in both World Wars." - and vice versa. Let's not forget that had the Brits not stood against the Germans in WW2, the Americans would have faced a Nazi nuclear armed superpower for decades.
@@maidenminnesota1 Our church pianist played a medley of patriotic music during the offertory time this past Sunday, and I knew I was a dyed in the wool Anglophile when he started to play "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" and my immediate first thought was "Why is he playing 'God Save The Queen'?!" 😂 (And yes, I also know the UK has a King now, but the song was "God Save The Queen" for the majority of my life, and my subconscious hasn't caught up with the change yet.)
@@simhedgesrex7097 Their nuclear weapons program really wasn't nearly as advanced as we thought it was at the time.
It still fascinates me that two countries, which had such an acrimonious "break up," are apparently quite good friends with each other.
Like my ex.
We'd never get back together, but an occasional visit is nice.
I mean, we never had problem with most of the people, just the government, so it really doesn't surprise me that eventually we're like, whatever, that's ancient history and basically work together perfectly fine with plenty of ribbing.
We used to be British for the most part and we still have a lot in common culturally. We had a break up but neither of us really changed culturally-at least not in the most important areas.
It's easier to deal with the British than to learn a whole new language.
It's because even at the time we realized that who we were fighting were the greedy and powerful - never the PEOPLE of Britain. Remember, we came from there and many Americans still had strong family ties to the country at the time. The American cause had much more support in the UK than people tend to realize and to be honest we probably wouldn't have won the war if the Howe brothers hadn't been pulling their punches to give us the opportunity to come back into the fold. Just because the King and Parliament were wronging us doesn't mean we didn't still love our English grandma.
Funny story. As an American educator, I happen to be in the UK once on the 4th of July and we visited some school sites where the lovely children greeted us with American flags and a well-rehearsed recitation of history indicating that (and I quote...) "Good King George granted the colonies their freedom." All of us Americans smiled and politely applauded and whispered among ourselves "That's not how we learned it? " 🙂 Later that night, our hosts at Cambridge presented us a lovely "traditional" 4th of July dinner consisting of turkey, pumpkin soup, and cranberry sauce. Again, we didn't have the heart to tell them they had their holiday feasts confused so we politely thanked them and ate it all with a smile. Happy 4th!!!
That is very funny lol.
Haha bless theiur hearts, sounds like they were being really nice even with the mixups.
Or, less likely, they were cleverly trolling you. Which I would also respect because that would be hilarious.
@@nthgththey are British.. they have mastered the ability to be polite and condescending at the same time.
Too long, didn't read
@@nthgth How tf do you add an extra letter
Apple pie being a popular symbol for American living isn’t because of where it was invented. It is because to American soldiers during WWII, their mother’s apple pie became a symbol of the home they missed. It became common to tell reporters that they were serving “for mom and apple pie.” A lot of people don’t know that (it has been awhile), so they just assume that apple pie is so very american that it must have been invented here. To me, the truth is actually more compelling and heartwarming.
I understand that apple pie was actually brought over by the early Dutch settlers. Not sure which story was right, but that's the one I always heard. But I'm from New York, which was originally settled by the Dutch, so maybe some partisanship there.
I think that's more sad than anything. These soldiers died in fights they didn't need to fight in. All for their moms and apple pie.
German chocolate cake was though. :)
well .. sorry to inform you, but apples have been around for thousands of years. The apple pie was NOT "invented" in America.
@@rhuephus literally no one here is saying it was??
I’m a Brit and I’ve been in the USA for 10 years. Anytime a fellow American asks me my opinion on july 4th. I simply answer that as a Brit if I had been told that I had to pay taxes but get no representation in return i imagine most including myself would have put up a middle finger too
But would you have thrown a bunch of tea in the ocean? That's the real question! :P
@@Ichthyodactyl😂😂 that's my favorite story!
@@Ichthyodactyl The Americans liked tea too, they just made the hard decision of doing that because they knew it would hurt the British government way more than the colonists who just had to stop drinking tea for a while. The government had to deal with a ton of angry merchants and lost taxes
@@CrizzyEyes yes and american was starting to trade tea for coffee because the brits dont drinks coffee (not saying all or now ) kinda like a double f u this is when coffee got big in america
Every time they ask you for your opinion you should respond with "HAPPY TREASON DAY UNGRATEFUL COLONIALS!"
My husband was born in Scotland, and he has a . . . . well . . . . a Scottish opinion of England. Every year on the Fourth of July, he reads us Robert Burns' poem "Ode to George Washington."
Considering my family's Irish background, who came to the US
to escape the Potato Famine... Yeah, I think the Irish opinion of
England might be very similar to Scottland's >__>
My family fled here from Scotland in the 1600s and 1700s. Little thing called enforced poverty gifted to us from the British Crown.
It's still in every drop of our blood to hate the English and anyone calling themselves a royal.
Excellent!
@@fennec13The Scots co-founded the British Empire and were just as much responsible for the colonisation of Ireland. Don’t let fucking Braveheart fool you
Even though the Scots also served in the British army during the revolution. The Scots don’t know shit about their own history
I'm a Brit living in Indiana, I work in retail and on July 4th I wore a t shirt that said: "HAPPY TREASON DAY UNGRATEFUL COLONIALS!" The customers loved it and a couple of people took photos of it 😂😂😂
I am just your average American, I go in with all the hype on the major holidays, but going into a store and seeing you wearing that shirt would have made my year. Sure, we have the over the top fellas, but most of us enjoy a good ribbing from time to time.
I would have loved to come across that.
I love this! LOL I
I've wanted one of those shirts for years now!!! Would be way funnier when worn by a Brit, though.
It's kind of like calling Black people people ungrateful former slaves. 🤣😂
I have a friend from work that flew to London from California on the 4th of July a few years ago. He walked into a pub the first night, looked around, and everyone was drinking cans of BUDWEISER! He exclaimed "I just flew 6,000 miles in the hope of getting some good British ale, and here you are knocking back Bud brewskis!" Turns out the pub was having a special on Budweiser in honor of the 4th of July!
Hello Paul how are you doing. Happy Independence Day😊 🎉
The horrors! I Budweiser is the symbol of all things wrong with American "domestic beer". A nation built on the production of ale is reduced to this. The pilgrims landed where they did because they ran out of beer!
Thank G-d for the blessings of well-crafted IPAs. I even grow the hops and brew my own IPA and APA styles. Cheers! 🍻
This is interesting wow 😆
😂
They couldn't have picked a more noxious "all-American" beer. The beer of rednecks and poor college kids.
Idk if anything makes me prouder to be an American that seeing someone else become one. Congrats
AMEN!
As long as they are white, christian and from another western country right? But that goes without saying I would guess!
@@Krydolph
How about if they are educated, willing to work, show an allegiance to the USA, and obey laws.
@@larrybell1859he problem is that many born "patriots" don't even fit those qualifications themselves
@larrybell1859 they might be patriotic, but their kids and grandkids might think differently. As we are ALL seeing right now
As an American, i view the UK as something like an elder sibling, and the rest of the anglo sphere like younger siblings.
We’re family. We might argue and annoy each other. We might all look at mom (the old British Empire) the same way, but, we’ll stand up for each other. You might tease a sibling mercilessly, but you protect them from others.
aint that the truth. Too bad Canada is being angsty lately. I used to like visiting all the time
bullsht. they are condescending rot tooth twts
@@Nictator42 Canada is our half-brother. An Anglo-Franco love child.
I'm a chauffeur in Boston. I was driving some British businessmen to the airport. As we drive past the bunker hill monument one of my passengers asked what the monument was for. I said "well, this is awkward...um...well, technically you won the battle...but you lost the war."
😂 too funny!
I have to agree…
We've given thanks for the loss ever since. The only thing worse than losing that war would've been winning it - the thought of what might have been makes me tremble!
@@Scaleyback317 Most of the present day USA would be part of Canada and Mexico. No big deal.
Unusually for Britain, we usually lose the battles but win the war.
Americans never forget that Britain was our ally during WWI an WWII. That awareness pretty much overrides whatever animosity might linger from the War for Independence.
They have basically stood with us through every war we have been in.
I appreciate our bros across the pond.
So people stop trying to correct me in the comments, I'm talking about through and after the World Wars.
@@lobot6894Save for the War of 1812.
No animosity until you say “soccer” 🙄
And the War of 1812, when the Brits captured Washington D.C. and a battle inspired Francis Scott Keyes' anthem "The Star Spangled Banner."
Yes yes but still we must keep watch for any ships with British flags headed towards our shore… you won’t trick us Britain! We’re wise to your long game! Waiting hundreds of years to wait till our guards are down to then gain the upper hand.
I spent the summer of 1976 in London. I remember seeing banners with an American flag that read “Happy Birthday! Love, Mum”. Funny and touching.
😂😅
That’s the cutest!
that's hilarious! 🤣🤣
Cute❤❤❤❤❤
😂
At one of my jobs a co-worker (a really good guy) had emigrated from the U.K. years before and had since become an American citizen. Over a period of time friends he met while serving in the Royal Navy also emigrated and became American citizens. This group and their wives get together every Fourth of July to celebrate the day. The first time he related this to me I have to admit I was confused, then he said: "Remember, we were NAVY - the ARMY lost..........."
That was a great line. 🤣
Remind him that the British Navy got its ass kicked by the French near the end of the war.
@@Aredel Selective amnesia on his part.
@@AredelGood luck getting us Brits to admit that we lost anything to the French. We rather lose to you 100 times than once to the French
John Paul Jones has left the chat.
@@littletroutsmith1799 John Paul Jones was destitute is Paris and the US ambassador to France did nothing for him.
King George III was in the habit of keeping a record of his doings with a daily journal. Places he went, people he met, activities, meetings, important events, inconsequential occurrences, all would be jotted down along with his thoughts and musings on the events of the day. Sometimes his journal entries for a single day would run to more than a dozen pages or more.
However, in one of those interesting historical ironies, his journal entry for July 4th, 1776 was a mere five words long:
"Nothing of note happened today."
I've always loved that story. There's a guy who really could've benefitted from Twitter. It wasn't until early September that news of the colonies' declaration of independence would reach London.
I thought it was "Nothing of importance happen today." .. or something along those line but I've heard about that and it was hilarious to then get the news months later .. 😅
Well he didn't learn about it until months later.
No, they received their copy on August 10, 1776.
Yeah, but he went really really mad towards the end...wonder what entries looked like at that point.
@@Warriorcats64 yes, during those periods when he was non compos mentis, there would likely have been no journals kept. However, when he was lucid, he would keep his diaries up to date.
Congratulations on your first 4th as a citizen of the USA, Lawrence! :D
He's been there 15 years now.
Sure, but he only became a US citizen within the past year.
@@10thdoctor15 Yeah, but with a green card or visa. He got his ACTUAL CITIZENSHIP about a year ago. He has a video where he talks about it. Frequent visitors (or anyone watching the entire video) would know this. Listen around 5:10 or so.
*Laurence
The thing I am reminded of most about the British People is that right after America was struck on 9-11, 2 days later during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace on that day per the order of the Queen Of England herself, the Royal Orchestra played the United States National Anthem. This confirmed to me that our nations are brothers forever. Happy Fourth, brother!
I will never forget that. Makes me teary every time I remember it.
Wouldn’t really call the us and uk brothers, more like parent and child
@@thecoolone777parent and child implies some type of power dynamic. People saying they're like brothers are just trying to point out that they're equal.
@@thecoolone777 The US has many parents. The UK was the narcissistic parent who goes ballistic and tries to beat up the kid for finally managing to assert some wish for independence. Then shows up on the adult kid's porch (twice) looking for money and assistance because it's fallen afoul of its equally narcissistic neighbors. Then as an old narcissist, has lost any real power but still sits around in assisted living, continuing to gaslight and criticize the adult kid who nevertheless faithfully and dutifully visits and oversees the parent's care despite all the abuse.
umm the Brits and America's national anthem music is the same, only the words are different
Not gonna lie, showing up to a 4th of July parade with a Union Jack is comedy gold. 🤣
It's disrespectful just as he intended it to be. It's weird how he often says he loves America but he's very disrespectful about it and often makes jokes about America and Americans. Just like his GW T shirt, that is also disrespectful and he knows it that's why he chose it. It's his way of making a joke about the father of our country. Frankly I don't understand why he moved here and why he became a citizen?
@@lennybuttz2162 I don't think anyone is so uptight as to feel that would be disrespectful.
Besides, the English are America's most reliable ally. Pretty much any conflict we were in the UK was backing us up for over 20 years.
Yes, jokes are just that. We Americans make jokes about the English too. Hardly anybody but the lunatic fringe would take it to heart seriously.
@@dant.3505 Telling a joke for a laugh is one thing, no problem. Lawrence is very subtle about his sarcasm and his jokes, they're often mean spirited. He makes the jokes on such a regular basis it seems like it's based in a great disdain for America and Americans. I suspect he's only here because of his wife although he doesn't seem the least bit affectionate toward her?
@@dant.3505 Sometimes we were allies in the same cause but I certainly would not say the UK backed us up. LOL That is totally ridiculous.
I lived in England for four years with the US Military. I always found it to be very surreal to celebrate Independence day on an American Operated, English owned base. The icing on the oddness cake was that, as it was a British base, the English were often in attendance as well, as it was a bit of a fair on the base topped off with the fireworks display. Always made sure to go, even when the weather wasn't the best.
In England? The weather is never the best
I (an active duty member of the USAF) celebrated 4th of July with the British at an RAF base in Cyprus. We displayed the United Stated flag and of course sang our national anthem. We also displayed the British flag and sang I believe To the Queen. It was one of the most patriotic celebrations that I have ever attended. Quite an occasion when you consider that Americans on a RAF base are guests of the Queen.
@@iswaswillbe567 The weather was usually quite lovely. It doesn't rain near as much as people joke about.
Yes, it does🤣. When I was a student in London I wished I could make room in my backpack by ditching the umbrella but it rained at least once a day!
It was a great celebration this year - the weather was perfect in the north of England when the bases had their fireworks and the local Brits were wondering what was going on.😊
Ok, bringing the British flag to a 4th of July cookout is hilarious! Good on you!
Hello how are you doing. Happy Independence Day😊 🎉
That would be the 1775 US flag. 🙂
@@1337flite it wouldn’t have been a United States just a bunch of colonies under British rule.
@@banana_necessary NO.
@@banana_necessaryI don’t think either country wants that!
About 8 years ago my wife and I took a trip to England and Scotland. We flew over on July 3rd and arrived in London on the 4th. Our hotel's restaurant had special meal that night in celebration of Independence Day! They were serving turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce!
Depends on the restaurant, but you can get that everyday in the right places.
@@10thdoctor15 This place had signs up saying “Happy Independence Day” with red, white and blue banners. The turkey, etc was the only option on the menu.
Wrong holiday🤣 should have been hot dogs hamburgers and corn on the cob!
LOL!! This story makes me crave _fried chicken..._
😂
My dad was an American Air Force officer, and we were stationed in England when I was a kid in the 70’s. Please note that we lived off base, and I went to British schools and had a proper accent. This happened to overlap with both the 1976 US bicentennial and QE’s silver jubilee. Then we moved to New Mexico and I dropped that accent like a hot rock. Good times.
As someone whose father was in the US Navy, we lived in England for a while. I learned to speak (I was that young) with a good British middle class accent. Now, I have a solid Mid-Western “American” accent and can’t even fake an English accent to save my life.
@@andreperrault5393 I didn't even go that far. Born in and grew up with a London accent. Moved to Northern Ireland and lost my accent naturally. Now have a stronger Belfast accent than my Belfast born and bred mrs and like you, can't even fake my old accent.
One of the funniest sayings I ever heard about this holiday is -- "If you want to have fun on the Fourth, buy a Fifth on the Third".
Dang I bought a half gallon...
Well I'm pouring out half a meter
🙃
If you drink a fifth on the fourth you may not be able to go forth on the fifth
Lol
Lol how have I never heard these
Lawrence, Happy Independence Day! I hope your first July 4 as a US citizen is meaningful and joyous.
If he doesn't get drunk, eat too much bbq then blow crap up it wasn't meaningful. I don't make the rules 😂
Hello Mary how are you doing. Happy Fourth 😊🎉
I dont know why so many of my fellow Americans give Brits such a hard time on Independence day. The whole thing would have been impossible without them!
I appreciate their loss.
Good joke.
But seriously, we're the nation of "F*** around and find out". We were founded on defiance, prefer to be chill, but when someone starts telling us what to do it is in our instinct to want to fight them.
Our founding fathers did not wage a massive war with a nation across the ocean just to be taking smoke from the British 200 years later.
Yet no-one seems to thank the French for basically screwing their entire economy just so that Britain would lose that war.
Americans give Brits a hard time? As an American who has the brain size of a pea, I did not know this
We’re tired of fighting and then saving you and then fighting against you and saving you again..
Americans never had an issue with the British people, only King George III. We still love you, Britain! It says a lot about the British people that they can join in the fun and teasing on the 4th of July. Truly good people.
Generally I don't see Americans as having a problem with the people of any country but the British do have their problems a prejudices many people in the UK look down on Americans and they rarely miss a chance to say something nasty about us. Yes, they cover it up as humor or sarcasm but it is genuine.
I do. Never forgive those damned red coats! JK not really, but I think the idea of holding a grudge against the British 250 years later is a funny bit 😂
@arkdestroyer5730 I am an American and I know it's not all British people it is a lot of them. I think most times they hide it behind humor but that's just a ruse. The Brits do have a snotty attitude not just about Americans but I think against every nation. Whenever a British person talks about another country it's usually in a negative context. Look at how they talk about the Irish and the Scots.
@SunnyDaze-uq8ed I have 2 wods for you Sunny but youtube doesn't like it when I type them so I'll just leave the initials; F.Y. I wonder if saying, "Eat Me" is against the rules? LOL Put the pipe down and come back to reality ms. Dazed and Confused.
@SunnyDaze-uq8ed Again Darling give the pipe a break.
Robert Morley did priceless “Come home, all is forgiven!” British Airways ads during the US Bicentennial.
Once parents and kids get over the awkward moving out stage conflicts they can be friends again.
That is exactly right!
A surprisingly good analogy!
The bits about Ben Franklin and Twitter, and “the *puns* never set on the British Empire” got me. 😀
Even in Shakespeare, pre- Empire.
It was fall term at college, and we had a visiting Professor from England. One of the students absent-mindedly asked her " Do you guys celebrate Thanksgiving in England ? And she replied " Yes, we celebrate that cause we're so happy that you guys left.
😂😂
Beast.
they replaced us with Moslems
allahu akbar
My wife's British-born mum was born on 4 July. She moved to the states in the 60s (not the same invasion, sorry) and became a citizen after marrying a Texan. She has lots of reasons to celebrate, and always reminds us how many people celebrate with her on the 4th. 92 this year!
Happy Birthday to your wife's mom, err . . . mum.
Interesting. My dad's British-born mum was also born on the 4th of July at a place called Bolton outside of Manchester. Small world. (Just a one in 365 chance of that I suppose.)
Does she celebrate with strawberries and cream?
@@larryselkirk426the dna report shows that you ARE the father!
@@tonyborelli. : probably, given that I am a father.
It's interesting. Honestly, the 4th of July to me as an American feels more like "wooo our nation was born that day!" rather than "haha the brits lost!"
That and/or the affirmation of the governing principals that our independence was intended to establish. I see a lot of celebration that revolves heavily around the embracement of democratic rule. So even then, less about the brits losing and more about no longer being under monarchic rule.
I agree. I don't know anyone who has ever said otherwise. It's stupid because it wasn't about winning a war especially since they didn't want to have to go to war with them in the first place. It's about freedom from a tyrannical government. And I think of that now concerning our own government.
The Brits didn't lose on July 4. That didn't happen for eight more brutal years. We would do well to remember the colonials and imitate their relentlessness.
I totally agree. I'm not sure if I know anyone who even thinks of England on the 4th of July. Fireworks, BBQ, Freedom, and the colors: red, white, and blue, though, 💯.
yeah I never really thought of it like that, tho I do feel like if I had a british friend I might make a joke about it in a very non-serious way. The other thing is from what I understand the British could have won if they contributed enough resources to the effort we basically just put up enough of a fight that king George decided it wasn't worth it anymore. It was definitely a big loss for the British since their huge empire surrendered to a ragtag colonial militia but it wasn't as if we were literally stronger than they were at that point in history.
I love that you said "us Brits and us Americans.." because you're both now!🎉🇬🇧🇺🇸
Hello Melissa how are you doing. Happy Fourth 😊🎉
One of us, one of us....
Well as an American who loves the fourth- i love ur stuff and appreciate the British as our Allie’s! We kept the world free in WW1 & WW2. The world needed us both
I had a British friend who also didn't know what the 4th of July was for, and she had been living in the United States for years. I couldn't imagine living in a country for that long and not being at least a little bit curious about it's major holidays.
Yeah wtf? It was a whole ass warzone last night and she didn’t care to know what the fuss was about ?😂
maybe she thought it was a yearly mass shooting in her area
I expect an adult person coming to the UK would get confused about 5th of November, since it's history is taught in schools and then never spoken about again. Let's face it, these holidays, in any country, is mostly about capitalism at the end of the day. Companies wanting to sell us fireworks, beer, greetings cards, etc. Just like Christmas and Easter.
@@TonklinFallen You make an excellent point about capitalism. But I'm an American, and I know about Guy Fawkes. 😉
@jamesdenning5724 that's victim mentality. It's the 4th of July, so I choose to go out and buy shit as an excuse to celebrate.
Capitalism isn't forcing me into anything. Companies get money, and I get to have fun. It's a mutually beneficial exchange.
As an new American Citizen, 4th of July is like your new self celebrating a victory over your past.
On 9/12/01, Queen Elizabeth had the Star Spangled Banner played outside Buckingham Palace. That made me cry more than the horrible attack on NYC had the previous day. It made me love her and Great Britain for that simple act of kindness and solidarity 🇬🇧🇺🇸 Happy First Independence Day!
I remember that! We were all feeling so horrible, sad, mad, scared, apprehensive during that time and everytime another country would do something in solidarity I'd start crying all over again.
The world is made less in Queen Elizabeth's absence, she vowed to serve her people for all the days of her life when she ascended to the throne, a promise she kept faithfully.
Me too! It was the single most meaningful tribute for me. Because they said in all the years there had been a Britian in the world, they had never played another countries anthem.
That and the town of Gander Newfoundland in Canada and how they took care of all the planes.
Yes!! Oh gosh, I'd forgotten that. It was so beautiful and heartwarming.
Ugly cry watching that, very special moment.
This was also my husband's first 4th as a US Citizen! His swearing in was back in December 2022. For the 4th, we went to visit friends who live in Indiana actually. They all live in or around Muncie, which is about as "small town" as you can get these days. No parade, but there was a fireworks show at the local small plane air port.
Hey now, there's smaller buried out in the corn somewhere
Besides, muncie is a city
Ooh, Lawrence, your funny video reminded me of my family’s history with England. My family has been in The States a long time, but I’m pretty sure they were in Britain during the Rev war. That’s true for lots of Americans of English descent. My mother was an American Army nurse during WWII. She was in England for the duration of the war. She loved England and had many English friends. Nobody was thinking about the Revolutionary War. Many years later I was in London talking to an elderly man at a pub. When I told him about my mother, he started to tear up and said, “We’ll never be able to thank the Americans for what they did for us.” We weren’t thinking about 1776 then, either. Happy Independence Day to everyone!
I read this in his voice
I must admit I love British rock music, one of the greatest gifts you gave us in the 60s and 80s🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸
(He wasn't born then, either.) 😆
Iron Maiden in particular.
As the Beatles and Stones concede, their music piggybacked on American R&B.
Just talking about the British invasion guys come on now
@@kristinehoya7396 my favorite then Ozzy
We did win our war for independence, but Britain is one of, if not our closest, of allies.
Not really they do not even teach Brits the real history of what they have done to the world for many Kings own wealth. And they just do not wanna piss us off again.
I wonder what King George III would think of that.
@@jerrierichter4 not much he's dead
Me personally I consider the French to be America’s closest ally because they helped us gain our independence.
@@AlexKS1992 Exactly. And all that money they gave to our cause helped bankrupt their kingdom and influenced their own revolution.
On the island of Cyprus, a while ago, I was able to have “American Pie” (peach pie). Also, it was great seeing the British in fancy clothes playing “rounders” before having hotdogs and hamburgers cooked in a barbecue grill by some of us “colonials” (Americans) on the Fourth of July. Friendly competition and great fun for all.
"I wish I could say the same about myself", "no prize for guessing who gets sunburned the quickest", "the pun never sets on the British Empire"... Laurence, you've given me a few chuckles this evening, and for that, I thank you. 😅Happy 4th to one of America's newest and most charming citizens!
“I think that might be overkill…..right.” That resigned “ right” hit exactly … right.
I work with a fellow who immigrated to the U.S. from Scotland, last year he wished our team, "Happy Traitors Day!" on the 4th of July, I LMAO! From his perspective, that's true.
Based on what I know about the Scots, that's probably a compliment
😂😂😂😂😂
Safe to say his ancestors were not Jacobites then.
@@bbb462cid Point made!
As a Scotsman he's probably just jealous. Lol
I lived in Dublin from 1972 to 1978. On the 4th, the American embassy always had a party and invited all the American kids from my university. You had together dressed up and be extremely polite. One year, none of us went. We had a BBQ instead.
BBQ on the 4th is the American way.
That's an abomination of a 4th of July if you have to dress up. You made the right decision. You're supposed to eat hot dogs and burgers (Generally, BBQ and all the sides) and get drunk. Light off a few fireworks, maybe risk a finger or two, then pass out in a folding chair around a campfire.
I'm not even particularly patriotic by American standards, but if Americans aren't behaving like Florida men on the 4th, they aren't doing it right.
lol thats a political embassy for you, you have to be on pins and needles because your around basically high society types.
bbq/eating alot, parades and fireworks are what we normally do, unless your super rich.
Haha. Yes we are still independent for the most part.
@@Nightout88 I wouldn't want to of the be super rich. They spend all their time actively hating America and trying to get it handed over to worldwide communism. I have a WAY better idea: we send THEM where they can get so much communism they can choke on.
LOL This was a great video. Congratulations Lawrence, on becoming a citizen! We're glad you're here.
On behalf of all of us Americans, I would like to say that we love our brothers and sisters from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Please excuse our exuberance when we celebrate our Independence Day. We love visiting your countries and thoroughly enjoy your gracious hospitality. We sincerely hope you feel the same towards us. Thanks, from the Americans.
Not all Americans are former Brits,most off them come from all around the planet.
In my travels across the globe, I've yet to run into a rude person from the UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand
Stop lying. You are hypocrites. You've never been able to love anyone but money. The whole world is suffering because of the Americans
Agreed! Well said!
@@ericmoore2645They're out there. But generally they're pretty much like everyone else. Just want to be left alone and live their lives.
To heck with those insecure uncles. Brits will always be close to our hearts. Similar values, shared language, and a wonderful, rich culture. Thank you for the Magna Carta!
Ohhhh it's just like Brazil and Portugal. We pick on them because they stole our gold, we also like to say that if we were colonized by the UK, we would be a good country hahahahahah... it's just like a relationship between coloninzer and former colonies 😂
Take care and Happy Independence Day Lawrence. God bless you and your wife.🇬🇧🇺🇸
There can never "God"!
Never mix country and religion!
Hello George how are you doing. Happy Independence Day😊 🎉
Don’t know if the creator will ever see this but please keep this channel alive. Your doing amazing
0:50 awesome phrasing and voicing. "Oh, you kicked OUR asses."
I think it’s brilliant that distillers in the UK are co-opting the holiday with a bit of wordsmithing. It’s the kind of thing good natured Americans would do! 😁
To be fair, the British people could use a bit of independence from the UK government too. Maybe they could get the right of freedom of speech written in a constitution.
Meh, it reminds me of the American habit of adopting other cultures holidays as reasons to become obnoxiously publicly drunk. Like St. Patrick's Day and Cinco de Mayo. I'll bet that's just what it is. Capitalism devours everything.
@@kirstencorby8465 It's better than Socialism.
nothing more American than some good old appropriation!!
@kirstencorbey8465
That isn't what happened at all. Remember that the US is a melting pot of the various cultures brought in by immigrants from around the world.
Large populations of Irish immigrants were celebrating St. Patrick's Day and it spread. Mexican populations were celebrating Cinco de Mayo and it spread.
It isn't as if some capitalist saw what was happening in Dublin or Puebla and decided to do it here.
It's not always about who pushes you down into the dirt as much as it is about who helps pick you up and dust you off
Well said, Junkyard!
Your shirt kicks ass, Lawrence!
I’m so glad to have you as a countrymen! The beauty of the US, is that a native born Brit can be just as American as a native Kansas farm boy like myself!
Cheers to your citizenship!
When I first met my best friend, who is British, I asked her if they celebrate the 4 th of July in England. She said “yes, it’s called good riddance day”
The answer of a sore loser 🤣
😅
oh snap!
😂😂😂😂😂
That's a bit how we call brexit 💀
I like to believe that the US and the UK will always have mutual admiration for each other, while also slagging each other off like competing siblings. It's so adorable. ❤
Same.
Americans do not know when to stop 😡 I have no admiration from America or Americans
@andrewsims4123 sounds like a you problem, bro
The one country which is still salty with Great Britain is France - they never forget Waterloo 😂
@@Mark-nh2hs Is that why the first train station in England when you arrive from France is Waterloo? lol.
Thank you for all the time and effort you put into your videos. This video hit me in the feels. My step-father recently passed away, like you he came to the U.S., and got his citizenship. He was really proud to be an American, but he didn't forget his heritage. He always loved the 4th of July, just so he could hang his British flag. All in good jest, of course. This fourth of July will be different without him around to joke and jest, but to mostly celebrate with friends and family. In his memory I will fly his flag on the 4th.
My sympathies on your loss. May he rest in peace.
@buhrdt May your journey through the valley of grief be filled with good memories and hope. Blessings.
Continuing his tradition is a wonderful way to honor your father.
Good on you! Fly it proud. Passed from generation to generation, may his memory live on forever. 💐
I remember when the US had it's 200th birthday. The festivity's that day in 1976 on the 4th of July were epic. I can still remember that particular day vividly, even though it was 47 years ago(I was only 10 years old). Happy that I will see Her 250th birthday.
I was just 6 but I member' the country just seemed to shut down for a week. The Bicentennial celebration was a shot in the arm this country needed after the turbulent 60's (probably the biggest societal change in the USA- Music, fashion, Mores, styles, business, travel, the whole zeitgeist, 1960 Vs. 1970 is like apples and oranges) the Kennedy and MLK murders, Viet Nam, the end of the Moon Race, Hippies, Watergate. 74-76 is when we seemed to move past that finally. The rest of the 70's in my young eyes were just Stagflation and women going braless! LOL.
A few years ago I was in London on my honeymoon during the 4th of July. The pub we stopped at had a special menu that featured hotdogs with barbecue sauce, and a variety of American beers that I've never heard of.
Lol. Maybe they were craft beers
As an Anglophile, a fellow Hoosier and a new subscriber to your channel I would like to wish you a happy 4th and welcome you to the US as an official citizen!
Still love our ancestors Across The Pond! Very proud to be American too! Happy 4th of July 🇺🇲
Are you saying all the Brits living today are our ancestors? That's funny. Is it like a time warp
I was in Europe with an English tour guide a few years back and wished him a happy 4th and he, in a dry voice with a smile, said "Yes, because why would you want to break away from the greatest empire on earth. I'll never know"
Well "greatest" is subjective. lol
I would have asked him how he felt about the brutality that was required to make that so called "great" empire.
Lawrence, will love and loved the Brits. The revolutionaries thought the King was being a jerk. When we look back, and see it through our modern eyes we still think he was acting kind of like a jerk. We love you and the British people!
When I was in my 20s, living after college in my native urban area of the northeast United States, my community used to come together for a huge 4th of July celebration every year...you know, live music, free beer, bouncy houses... everything that makes America great...
Every year, whatever band I was in would play and every year, I'd wear my union jack Tshirt on stage... always a hit...
saint olaf?
I had a British plant manager years ago. It was the day before 4 July and I asked what he would be doing to celebrate and stopped myself short and said, “Oh…that was a bad day for you guys!” He laughed facetiously and said, “Hahaha! Very funny you’re fired!” I showed up for work the day after 😝
I love chill managers.
"I showed up for work the day after 😝"
Must've been awkward when you realized he wasn't joking.
Were he serious, he would have said "You're sacked!"
@@kc4cvh Yeah, that's what they say over there.
As an American, I will always see the British people as brothers and sisters. We had a squabble and that is that. Still love y’all!
were you ancestors even british? Not all of us are british descendants
Yes, actually. I can trace my family back to the 16th century and am half English myself. Why does that matter?
@@nickgerr1991 aside from that, I am referencing our Nations intertwined histories and the formation of America as an independent nation from its origin as a British set of colonies.
@@davemumbach7350 it matters since not all of the the USA has british ancestry; some german, polish, spanish, etc. We will never see the brits as brothers, just "some country the USA gained its independence from"
@@nickgerr1991 that's why I said "I see" not "WE see". You can speak for yourself as I was speaking for MYSELF as an American.
A British man at work once told me "Happy Independence Day.
I said, "I'm not sure you're allowed to say that to me"
😂
That’s because some southern Americans couldn’t accept defeat in civil war and are still trying for payback. I think they forget most of Americans are former immigrants. America is a melting pot.
"The pun still never sets on the British Empire" 😆👍🏻
The English have the best laugh when you're all suddenly irish on st Patrick's day😂
@woden-hitman1552, as a Brit-born of Irish descent, I can categorically state that the English can't put a patch on you Yanks - you out-Irish even the Irish on St. Paddy's Day...😂😂😂😂
@@wodens-hitman1552 😆😆😆 I'm more of the brooding Irish type then, as I don't drink 😆
I'm glad you said that. I always thought it was weird that that is the only day we say in the UK format.
That was actually a really profound reflection, I appreciated it!
Isn't the UK format "July the Fourth?" Laurence even says a date this way shortly after in this video
@@nthgth No. USA is the only country that does month first, then day, then year. Brits and most everyone else start with the day first, then month.
@@fs5775 3:39 Laurence says "July the fourth." Whose language idiom is he invoking here of not the UK's? Definitely not the US with that "the" in there.
I was visiting England in the late 90s and it during early July. I went with my friend that I was visiting to a big box store (something akin to a Meijer’s or Walmart) and they had signs up all over for 4th of July sales which astounded me. So I had my friend snap a pic of me in front of signs with American flags in the meat department so I could show friends back home. It was very surreal!
"The pun never sets on the British Empire."
I'm dying! 😂 🇲🇾 🤣
Though we celebrate our birthday, we’ll never deny the partnership we have with the UK in modern wars. British, Scots, and Aussies are some of the finest soldiers I’ve encountered
I had someone ask me, “How do Americans view the British?” I answered, “It depends which chapter of the History book we are studying at the moment.”
French and Indian War: good (although they called us “Yankee Doodles” which was rude)
Revolutionary War: bad
War of 1812: bad
Civil War: Confederacy good, Union bad
WW1: good
WW2: good
Cold War: good
Also good in the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan.
@@Hremom Too recent. Not studied in history yet.
@@O2life All of those wars were in my history textbooks. I went to high school from 2006-2010.
We may laugh and joke….
But the fact is that the British are a 100% solid ally.
One of only a few country’s that we can absolutely rely on
@@CrizzyEyes That's wonderful! Typically high school history classes cover everything 60 years ago or more.
Splendidly brilliant.
And, welcome brother citizen.
Congrats on your first 4th as a US citizen. I remember when my husband got to celebrate his first 4th as a US citizen...it was a momentous day!
I remember speaking with someone from the UK a while ago who said that their limit of the American Revolution was "I think it was lumped in with the Napoleonic wars. We kind of had a lot more to get through." Which was fair. But later I was talking about fireworks shows and I pointed out that 4th of July Fireworks shows were structured in order to commemorate the battle of Yorktown, (It starts off slow, to represent the initial cannon fire of the incoming British naval fleet, builds up to a climax as the battle progresses, tapers down as battle drags on, and then culminates in a sudden "Grand Finale" to show the British Navy surrendering by firing their remaining munitions off away from the battle as a show of disarmament.) Someone else asked why the Battle of Yorktown? And I explained that it was because that was the last battle of the American Revolution and they said "I thought that it was the Battle of New Orleans, or did that not count because the war had ended by that point?" All the Americans then pointed out that no, that was the last battle of the War of 1812 not the American Revolution. Then we found out that apparently there are some Brits who think that those two wars were the same and that America didn't get its Independence until after the War of 1812, which kind of makes sense since that was what caused the War of 1812 in the first place.
There are many historians who consider them one long war with a cease-fire in the middle. Heck, British support for the Confederacy could be considered a proxy continuation of that war too.
Eh, that's fair. Most of us Americans barely know the history of other nations if at all. We can't exactly go around expecting everyone else to have ours memorized.
@@diamondbill7556 So the main thrust of that is the interpretation of the goals and results of the Revolutionary War. From the American perspective the goal was full blown independence and from our interpretation of the Declaration of Independence as well as the Treaty of Paris (1783) that is what we were granted. Now the British, instead, felt that the goal of the war was American Autonomy and so they interpreted it as "The Americas have the right to govern themselves but are still subjects of the British Crown" (Similar to how Canada and Australia are treated today.) This is what lead to the war of 1812, the British Navy felt that because, from their perspective, Americans were still Crown Subjects that they could still press them into naval service. From the American perspective, we had our independence so the British were kidnapping American Citizens and forcing them to fight for them.
So from that perspective, yes, an argument could be made that it was a single war. However considering that in that 31 year period we had changed our entire government structure, expanded our territory, entered into diplomatic and financial agreements with foreign entities, and gone through 3 Chief Executive Officers, I would view that as being as wrong as saying that WWI and WWII were the same war with a ceasefire in the middle.
@@ZevVeli It's amazing how often different sides come out of a conflict with totally different perspectives on what was resolved. Both sides may be happy with the outcome but would be livid if they heard the other side explain the resolution.
I'm rereading Patrick O'Brian's "The Fortune of War" (book 6 of the Aubrey-Maturin series) and didn't really get why the Royal Navy felt that they could just stop American shipping and press men and find men that had run from the Royal Navy. This helps me appreciate the amazing amount of research that O'Brian put into these masterpieces.
Learn something new everyday. I didn't know that about the Firework show and how it was designed to be based off of an actual battle and it's "flow".
You're one of us, now Laurence! Party hard!
That's the spirit !! 🥳💃
Congratulations on your recent Citizenship! My German Grandfather married my American born to German Citizen Grandparents, came to America, had 3 kids, and earned his Citizenship while I was a kid. It was a very proud Moment in all our lives. I wish you the best.
Also, please waive the British Flag next year and record the reactions you get. I imagine it would be hilarious.
If he ‘waived’ our glorious UK flag there would be no reaction hilarious or otherwise because he would not be waving it!
It is my wife’s first fourth as a full blown American as well. We have been together for 12 years but she finally took the plunge end of last year. Wish you a happy fourth!
Took the plunge?
@@CallmeJeffy1 Yeah, like she dove in. She is in the pool with the rest of us Americans.
My mother was born in the U.K., and we (my siblings and I) used to tease her on the 4th of July... which just happens to be her birthday. Still, if today anyone tried messing with Britain, the U.S. would come charging, guns locked and loaded.
I love that your formative years are Brittain followed by Indiana.
well, quite a bit of our state resembles England- :)
Watching this a year hence from the time you recorded this, a week to go before July 4, 2024, and always love your videos. An early Happy Birthday to you and America! Keep up the great videos!
I'm in the UK. When I was a kid we used to have hot dogs & other 'American' foods on the 4th. Didn't really understand what the 4th was celebrating. We always had themed meals. Chinese New year, Mexican night, Greek (inspired by family holidays) etc.. We're a very foodie family I guess.
That never left us... Americans do the same! Haaa. Got a holiday that includes food and drinks? We will celebrate it!!
Well, since you are a US citizen now you've won too! I love the Brits and their crazy sense of humour! HAPPY 4TH BROTHER!
Love this video, I got a chuckle. I love the Brittish people. Even though I am glad we got our independence from them. They will always be our friends. I am glad you became a American citizen.Your videos are great, happy Fourth of July.
You're an American from England.
You can celebrate whichever side you want.
🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇵🇸🇵🇸
Congratulations Lawrence on celebrating this day as an American homeowner! 🥳
As much as we give the Brits a hard time this day, most of the teasing is warm affection because in the past 100 years the relationship between the two countries have in the end led us back to learn to trust each other and to be grateful we’ve come a long ways. The US has a lengthy list of relationships with nearly every country in the world, but it the one we have with the UK that has proven to become dear to us Americans. Not sure if the same the other way haha 😅 but we have valued our British friends across the pond.
Have a Happy 4th!
Congrats Lawrence on your first Independence day as an American.
It just goes to show that no matter how bad relations between nations are, it won't have to be that way forever. We fought and won our independence from the UK and had another war decades later, but now I couldn't imagine a world where we weren't friends with our brothers across the pond. Turmoil can heal.
You get sunshine in Central Indiana? Here up in the northern area near the Michigan border we only get roughly 40 days of sun total. The rest is overcast like the British Isles but super soggy because humidity's permanently at 110%.
Somehow we can still get sunburned just hours after the morning frost has melted.
"...lapped it up like it was some sort of ice cream!" 😂👍👍
Lawrence, your commentary is wonderful! You really crack me up! Thank you, immensely!
I have a British friend who wears shirt on this day that says, “Happy Treason day”. It’s a great shirt. I laugh.
Congratulations on your new citizenship and thank you for adding your humor and puns to the mix!
Its strange to me how different countries teach history. Alot of Japanese people think we invaded them in WW2, although it was them who attacked our harbor.
Lol! Well, we did invade them. After we nuked them. And then we made a treaty that required them to let us defend them rather than defending themselves. So, we occupied part of their territory for that purpose (and to keep them from doing it again). And we're *still* there! So I'm not surprised they would have the impression we invaded them. And yet, they are also one of our closest allies. Our relationship with them is as reliable as our relationship with the UK.
United States provided (both material and financial) support to China, who was fighting the Japanese. So to the Japanese we invaded their seas. They thought that once the U.S. naval presence in their area was neutralized then they'd be "safe", which is what prompted Pearl Harbor.
@GambitsEnd okay, but we didn't actually invade their sea. By proxy, sure, but not directly, which most of them believe.
@@jimjason5146e stopped selling them oil because they aligned with the axis of power and their conquest in China was pretty much DOA with no fuel, so they wanted to send a message to america. Message received, say hello to fat man and little boy
And we Indians lost our great leader Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose 😭😭
In a way, I am Laurence's opposite number, having married a Brit and moved to the UK! I even have a TH-cam channel, "A Yank in Sussex" (Sussex being an English county). But sadly, Laurence's channel is much better and more popular than my own. My British wife wants me to hang the US flag in our window to let the neighborhood know that we're celebrating her Yank's independence. I don't think I will, however.
Happy 4th to everyone!
Hello Mike how are you doing. Happy Fourth 😊 🎉
I'm curious.
Does she ever make *bubble and squeak* for dinner?
🍲
@grantorino2325 Once or twice a year, yes! It's okay, but ... not all that great. I like her beef stew a lot, though. It's scrumptious!
I make chili twice a month, but no matter how much I go easy on the spicy, it's almost too much for her!
as an amarican i see it as not flaunting out victory but celebrating the creation of out country
Obviously not celebrating the education system 😅
Yeah, I save Christmas Day for when Washington crossed the Delaware as a day to flaunt our victory. A victory over my ancestors, the Germans, who were fighting for the Brits.
@@joelwillems4081Hessian Mercenaries, not the "Germans". Germany as a unified nation did not exist back then. In fact the Prussians who ended up uniting Germany are literally responsible for the creation of the Continental Army. Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben is the reason that the US Continental Army defeated the British.
At this point I never think about whose ass we kicked. It's just an American holiday with flags and fireworks. We've been allies for so long and have been through so many fights together, I think it's ok to just use it to celebrate America and not the winning of a war
Hello how are you doing. Happy Fourth. I’m Thomas from Norfolk 😊🎉
I agree with this; even during the Bicentennial, I remember it being more celebratory of becoming an independent country and having freedoms, rather than HOW we became an independent country, etc. We learned how in school, of course, but defeating the British in the late 18th century has never seemed to me to be the focus of Independence Day celebrations. I don't think I've ever met anyone who had a "yeah, we beat them Brits" attitude on any day of the year, let alone on the Fourth of July.
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Editing to add, one of my fondest memories is of hearing on Weekend Edition on NPR, on either Saturday or Sunday, 15th or 16th of September, 2001, that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had the Star Spangled Banner played in St. Paul's Cathedral to honor all the lives lost in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. That's when I finally cried, and the memory of hearing of that beautifully respectful gesture still gets me emotional. 💖💖💖
As a history buff and descendant of colonials from the Saratoga area, I know exactly whose butt we kicked, where, when, and how.
@@dawnkindnesscountsmost5991 It was in front of Buckingham Place. I'd also say forgetting the struggle to become free, demeans the lives lost during that struggle, including the English lives.
1st: Those who do not learn their history are doomed to repeat it.
2nd: People not remembering what caused the Revolutionary War is the reason we are taxed on everything the government can dig their claws into.
Oooh Laurence! I love your subtle and sublime humor so much!