The Earth has revolved around the Sun 249 times since the 13 Colonies declared their Independence from the British Crown
The 4th of July. A day for celebration, fireworks, all manner of America-flag decorated-type clothing and likely a lot of traditional summer outdoor-cooked food and summer-associated activities. The reason underpinning this holiday: the 249th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, whereby a group of 13 British Colonial States got together and decided that they would rather go it alone, without a massive British Empire based across the Atlantic Ocean dictating its laws and policies.
Whether you hold that the 4th is the true day of independence, or the 2nd (when the Continental Congress actually voted to declare independence from England), America celebrates its “birthday” on the 4th. Since 1777, Americans have made the 4th the day of actual commemoration, and the US government formally codified that date into law in 1938. (NOTE: Yes, it was actually made a Federal Holiday in 1870, but it didn’t become a paid Federal Holiday until 1938 and…wait a minute…it took the US over 90 years to settle on even an “unpaid” holiday for America’s Birthday? [insert joke about government efficiency here]).
This year, we get the coveted 3-day weekend, which we at Battle Red Blog hope that everyone is enjoying to the fullest (and if you have to work for whatever reason, hopefully you will get some much-earned comp time afterwards). Of course, we hope that you are balancing that enjoyment with discretion and safety. We want all of you to come back post-holidays in the same or in better shape than before. Especially since we are but a few weeks away from the opening of training camp and the start of what promises to be a rather intriguing/exciting season for the Texans, we want everyone to come along for the ride.