July 4, 2013

Today we celebrate:

National Barbecue Day – We must differentiate between barbecuing and grilling. Barbecue uses indirect heat a long time and grilling uses direct heat for a much shorter period of time. So make sure you get it right when you make it for dinner tonight.

Boom Box Parade Day – Begun in 1986 by WILI, a radio station in Willimantic, Connecticut, this is a day to have a Boom Box Parade. This day began when the Windham's Memorial Day Parade couldn't find a marching band. So, WILI played marching band music on the air while people marched in the parade carrying their boom boxes which, of course, were tuned to WILI's station. Anyone can participate, the only requirement is that they wear red, white and blue and carry a radio tuned to WILI. American flags are encouraged as well.

Fourth Of July or Independence Day – This day doesn't really need any explanation, but for those who might live in another country, this day celebrates the adoption of our Declaration of Independence back in 1776.

Indivisible Day – First declared as a holiday in 2002 by Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, this day celebrates the division between church and state by the American Constitution. It is under fire by a lot of people who believe it to be an atheist inspired day.

National Country Music Day – This is a down home, country day. It doesn't matter if you prefer the classic country of our childhood or the newer country that has a touch of rock in it. Listen to whatever kind of country music you like today.

Sidewalk Egg Frying Day – On this day in Oatman, Arizona, there is a festival that involves wild west gun fights, food galore and burros wandering wherever they want. But the big attraction today is the egg frying competition. The rules demand that you fry an egg within 15 minutes using only the sun.

To celebrate today, have a neighborhood country music boombox parade and then invite everyone who participates over for Fourth of July barbecue at your house. During the party, have an egg frying competition and hold some lively discussions about what the issue of the division of church and state means to you and your guests.