How well do you remember July 4th? Ask a youngster about the significance of Independence Day, and silently wish he would not rattle about how Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum conquered their alien-foe on board a spaceship. If inspired, he might cite the exact date of Independence Day as July 4, 1996, and not the historic day back in 1776.



Blame it on Roland Emmerich who directed and co-wrote with Dean Devlin the blockbuster movie “Independence Day", which brought the whole new perspective of Independence Day to sci-fi level; however the movie speaks of how truly well Americans can unite solidly, behind a common cause.

On-screen and even in the battlefields over two centuries ago, July 4th is America’s biggest event that chronicles its struggles, and triumph in delivering its nation from the claws of a sovereign power, other than its own. The inherent bravery of its people, and their uncompromising love for democracy powered its victory from Britain (and aliens); and as the whole world stood witness 232 years ago, American Democracy saw its first dawn on July 4, 1776.

How then would you celebrate Independence Day, today?

Barbecue. Most American families and those who have lived in the US for a number of years blessed by the opportunities of a democratic country, as if by custom, hold open-fire barbecue and gather friends and family to sumptuous dinner.

Picnic. At the park or on the beach, July 4th is also red-marked by most families to spend quality time, sans much fanfare, but just some home-cooked meals inside a picnic-basket that the family can share.

Smileys. The internet has a plethora of smiley-providers but very few cater to special events by regularly updating their inventory of innovative smiley icons, and create trendy designs for a particular person or event. Look for these cuter free smileys; download them on your desktop, and you’re ready to go! You may check out latest animated smileys edition at Zaazu.com.

You can send animated emoticons in your emails when you greet your family and friends on Independence Day, or you may add a “freedom touch" on your MySpace and Friendster pages for your friends to ogle for a while. With over 300 + designs to choose from, download smileys can come handy when you run out of words to say or you would want to stress a point, but you can’t seem to find a word that can suitably express it. Smileys often do an excellent job when words are not enough.

Movie. This time, on DVD. Yes, why not watch the movie “Independence Day" again with your family and friends? Get on with the excitement of “what if’s" should aliens really come and invade the US, or perhaps toss on a few laughs on some of Will Smith’s antics, and heave a sigh on Jeff’s genius for finding a heroic idea out of his dad’s “you might catch cold" phrase.

Celebrating Independence Day every year awakens the sense of patriotism that every single American, most especially the youth, should not allow the passage of time, and technological diversions at the moment steal the memory of how their forefathers fought and laid down their lives for democracy that every American citizen enjoys today. This democratic ideal also served as yardstick for the rest of the world to aim for, and when necessary, just like its fallen American brethren, die for.

Be it in the movies, or in true-to-life struggle, “Independence Day" is America’s battle cry that it will remain a “land of the free, and the home of the brave." Be it so, as the whole world watches.