Happy Independence Day!

Thanks for that! I grew up on the New Hampshire seacoast. Portsmouth was in the early days a busier shipping port than Boston. Revolutionary War History was pounded into us as kids, many of the historic places being in easy sight. Much later I lived on "Thornton Street" not far from Whipple Road. Lots of history up there, everywhere you look and lots of old forts still standing from America's "first war". Here's one we sailed by every time we left Portsmouth Harbor to race.

http://www.forttours.com/pages/fortmcclary.asp

I'm going to make my kids read the entire thing, seems they aren't "getting it" taught their local schools.

Oh, and then I'm going to hoist a few Sams, as a salute to "Samuel Adams" Brewer, Patriot.

;^)

Thanks Tad.

Thanks for your reply Timbo, glad you feel the way you do.

A very nice document indeed but since we are on the subject of "important history", the following piece should also be taken note of. Especially note all the similarities with the declaration of independence.

This document is called the "Act of Abjuration" or "Plakkaat van Verlatinghe", signed on 26 July 1581

And wikipedia may be quoted as stating :

"The Act was remarkable for of its extensive Preamble, which took the form of an ideological justification, phrased as an indictment (a detailed list of grievances) of King Philip. This form, which is strikingly similar to that of the American Declaration of Independence, has often given rise to speculations that Thomas Jefferson, when he was writing the latter, was at least inspired by the Act of Abjuration.

The Preamble was based on Vindiciae contra tyrannos by Philippe de Mornay, and other works of monarchomachs may have been sources of inspiration also.[

The rebels, in their appeal to public opinion, may have thought it more important to quote "authoritative" sources and refer to "ancient rights" they wished to defend. By deposing a ruler for having violated the Social Contract with his subjects, they were the first to apply the theoretical ideas that two hundred years later would ultimately form the basis for the American Declaration of Independence."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_Abjuration


Timbo, this is the conflict that is linked to the 80 years of (intermittend) war that won the Netherlands their independence (from Spain but also other monarchs).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eighty_Years%27_War


You know, the one we talked about a few years back when you were over here. A sidepoint; The Netherlands is one of the few nations if not the only one that became a monarchy (again) after having been a republic for many many years. It was a republic from the 16th century to the 19th century and a constitutional monarchy from the 19th century to present. Note also that a constitutional monarchy is noticebly different from a common (absolute) monarchy. The function is much more ceremonial and subject to the laws of the land like any other person. Initially the function of our king/queen was indeed very comparable to the position of a modern president. Now it is much more symbolic with significantly reduced powers and a much reduced public profiel, but the function is still hereditary.


Happy reading and learning,

Wouter

Wouter, why did they re-install a King, and who voted for him?

What, some watery tart throws a sword at you, and that makes you King??

Watch this all the way to the end to see the violence inherent in the system:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOOTKA0aGI0

I vote we change National anthems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5yTYZskz58

Wouter loves this song!

I may be working in the Netherlands this year can you get Cuban cigars there?

I don't smoke but I don't think cubans are banned here in any way or form.

Wouter

cuban cigars are over rated any way.

why are they banned outside the US? I thought it was an embargo-thing?

Is smoking cigars frowned upon in Europe and associated areas?

+1