Hey, happy Fourth of July (Independence Day). On this day in 1776, the United States officially declared independence from Great Britain. We celebrate this day with fireworks, barbecues, parades, picnics, and going to the beach (if one happens to be handy). To avoid sounding even more like a cheesy informational video, I'll just throw out some relevant links.

So what does the President do on the Fourth of July? Find out.

Download an MP3 or WMA of the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed masterfully by the Penfield Symphony Orchestra of Penfield, New York.

I think "The Star-Spangled Banner" is best left to orchestras, as it is notoriously difficult to sing, covering an octave-and-a-half range. Not to mention that the latest trend is to inject "soul" into the 19th-century ballad. At a baseball game or whatever, instead of ending the way it should:

You're more likely to hear it sung like this:

That right there is perhaps the most compelling argument to get the national anthem changed. No one wants to sing it straight anymore. Does any other country butcher its national anthem so?

Last year and the year before, I spent the Fourth of July at my great-aunt's condo. On the penthouse floor (and, the first year, on the roof) we could see fireworks shows all around (except in the direction of the ocean, of course). I think I counted at least 10 to 15 going on at once. It was truly spectacular.

Anyway, this is my first Fourth at home in several years. Some relatives are coming over tonight and we're having a barbecue. There should be plenty of fireworks, because people started shooting them off a few nights ago.