Happy Fourth from Colonial Williamsburg

Movie Madness: Fun Films for the Fourth of July

The Cine-Sibling and I offer these options for your viewing pleasure if you're whiling away the hours before fireworks tonight!

In the interest of full disclosure: I vetoed with extreme prejudice his suggestion of the first Transformers movie. As for Saving Private Ryan ... Well, my list only has room for one movie rescuing Matt Damon, and I wanted something fun and less bloody for a summer holiday.

Here are our picks in alphabetical order:

• 1776 (1972)
• Air Force One (1997)
• Apollo 13 (1995)
• Argo (2012)
• Armageddon (1998)
• Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
• Die Hard (1988)
• Glory (1989)
• The Hunt for Red October (1990)
• Independence Day (1996)
• The Martian (2015)
• Miracle (2004)
• The Patriot (2000)
• Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

Thomas Jefferson's Rough Draft of the Declaration of Independence

Remember, when we see the (glorious) finished product, we see only the final result of a long, arduous process of writing and editing and rewriting and re-editing and compromise and debate. Here is a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence!

Happy Fourth of July! The Original Brexit

On this quintessential American holiday, haters gonna hate ... but living well and having fun is the best riposte and response!  Enjoy your cookouts and fireworks!

You can sign the Declaration yourself at the National Archives online, indulge in some deliciousness, and/or enjoy this snippet from the delightful musical "1776":

Fugly or Fabulous? Declaration of Independence Skorts for 4th of July

What say you?  I think I can see myself wearing them to a good 4th of July cookout ...

Iowahawk on Critics

I was going to say something about all those haters using the Fourth of July to bash America, but Iowahawk is so much better at commentary:

The United States of America - where our harshest critics refuse to leave.
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) July 4, 2014

Public Service Announcement: Tips For Photographing Fireworks

Looking forward to some fireworks later?  Here's some advice from National Geographic if you want to take snapshots.  Happy Fourth of July, my darlings!