HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

"He who warned, uh, the British that they weren't gonna be takin' away our arms, uh, by ringing those bells, and um, makin' sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed." ~Sarah Palin~ (Commenting on Paul Revere's midnight ride, June 3, 2011)

“What I love about New Hampshire and what we have in common is our extreme love for liberty. You're the state where the shot was heard around the world in Lexington and Concord." ~Michele Bachmann~ March 12, 2011 (Duh… “The shot heard round the world” and the Battles of Lexington and Concord actually took place in Massachusetts – ouch!)

It’s hard to say whose seat should be in the back of the classroom when it comes to American history – Sarah Palin or Michele Bachmann. Both have received low marks for their media-pleasing clangers.

In all fairness to Ms. Palin, she got her real history confused with legend, as sometimes happens.

IMHO, if it weren’t for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1861 poem "Paul Revere's Ride" she might have gotten her facts straight – maybe… doubtful.

Longfellow’s version clearly immortalized Revere and left out several other riders, namely William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott. (Ah, but that’s just historical trivia.)

Kudos to the comedy sketch group, “Better Than the Machine” and “Green Shoe Animation” for this hysterical and skewed version of Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride, "Paul Revere: The Truth."

The animated short was directed by Jason Shwartz, Executive Produced by Reid Levin and involved “many great and patriotic friends who generously donated their expertise and time so the truth could be told!” (Full credits are provided at the end of the video.)

I wonder if Ms. Palin would change her story this time, now knowing the truth. After her initial gaffe she said, "[Paul Revere] did warn the British. And in a shout-out, gotcha-type of question that was asked of me, I answered candidly. And I know my American history."

Happy Birthday America, and keep smiling; better days are sure to come – eventually.

Celebrating Independence Day: Concerts with fireworks nationwide

Depending on where in the United States you are located, some of the finest orchestras will pay tribute to our country’s birth with the best entertainment around.

Nothing goes better with a grand fireworks display than a full symphony orchestra playing everything from the traditional John Philip Sousa marches to Tchaikovsky’s stirring 1812 Overture accompanied by a dazzling light display.

It’s an outing that you will remember for a lifetime.

Some of the programs are offered free, and most are set on wide public expanses that allow for picnicking.

Certain shows will actually be performed on alternative dates other than July 4 so check the list that follows and find the city or symphony nearest you; click on the link for informative details of the concert that is being offered, and make your plans for a spectacular Independence Day.

If you’d rather take a pass on the live orchestra, and are only seeking a fabulous pyrotechnic display or a fireworks show with synchronized music, the American Pyrotechnics Association offers a list that they created in 2009 of national alternatives here. As with the concerts, be sure to double check dates for the fireworks displays that are nearest you.

Should the weather not cooperate in your area, there is always the option of tuning in to the annual Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) presentation of the A Capitol Fourth, which is broadcast live on July 4 at 8:00 p.m. EDT / 7:00 p.m. CDT and recorded for rebroadcast in other markets. It’s a spectacular must-see presentation brought to you from our nation’s capital.
Check here to find your local PBS station.

Happy Birthday America!

Atlanta Symphony

Austin Texas Symphony

Boston Pops

Brookhaven Pops

Charlotte Symphony

Cleveland Orchestra

Detroit Symphony

Hartford Symphony

Houston Symphony

Indianapolis Symphony

Los Angeles Philharmonic

National Symphony

Philadelphia Orchestra

Portland Symphony (Maine)

San Francisco Symphony

Utah Symphony

Vermont Symphony