Today, the United States of America is 235. So, how do we celebrate? There are the traditional events, such as fireworks celebrations, a nearly full slate of baseball games, and, a novelty event that now is celebrated by being shown on television, the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. I'm surprised Pepto Bismol isn't sponsoring that.
Anyway, I've been at the Empire State Plaza in Albany for the Fabulous 4th on three different occasions, and I can speak from experience. You can't leave until after the fireworks show ends. The joint gets crowded before dark, people shoulder to shoulder, or, as Sting sang in the Police's 1983 hit, "Synchronicity 2", "packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes". You know, like sardine cans.
In 1984, country singer Lee Greenwood wrote what would be a definitive anthem for our country, and in the last decade, "God Bless the USA" has experienced a rebirth. I think it's kind of appropriate to play, today, so here it is.
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