Today is already July 5th in Japan, and America’s 「独立記念日」 (Independence Day) isn’t obserevd in Japan (obviously)…but, as I’m American, I thought I’d write a post about it.
Kind of a “Didja know…?” post.
So, did you know that…
– three U.S. Presidents died on July 4th? (John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on the same day…1826 July 4th, and James Monroe died on 1831 July 4th.)
– Heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne was married on 1982 July 4th (thirty years ago yesterday).
– There were (at least) two movies with Fourth of July-related titles…”Independence Day” and “Born On The Fourth of July“.
– Tom Cruise starred in the aforementioned “Born On The Fourth of July” and he nearly was born on that day…his birthday is July 3rd.
Can you think of any other July 4th coincidences or interesting trivia?
Are you American? How do you celebrate America’s Independence Day? (Even better…are you not American but celebrate the holiday??)
Tokyo Five 
In Sweden half the people fire a lot of rockets on New Year night, but at other events with fireworks it is generally preferred to have it done by professionals. I mean at commercial gatherings, big weddings and such.
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Are fireworks used at weddings and at New Years there?
That’s an interesting culture difference … fireworks are never used on those occasions here .
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The turn of years is hailed with fireworks, yes. Very popular. At wedding parties, sometimes, not generally.
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In Japan, fireworks shows are a popular type of summer festival.
Both New Years and wedding ceremonies have many customs here … but fireworks aren’t a part of either.
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For Independence day I don’t really do anything special besides the typical bbq and go see the fireworks. I don’t buy any fireworks (they are illegal to set off in the city I am in anyways) but you can hear many people setting off their own (legally and illegally) long after the city’s fireworks were set off. Matter of fact, I have been hearing people set them off every now and then the last couple of days. You then begin to wonder how many people really celebrate the country’s independence and how many just like setting stuff on fire and having explosions. Then again, that is part of the fun of the holiday.
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Are fireworks illegal in your town?
Many people buy fireworks to light after watching a summer fireworks show…they can even be bought at convenience stores!
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Yeah, my city has them illegal because they would rather not take a risk with fires as well as because they can be pretty damn loud. I live right on the edge of my city, next to a smaller city which is why I get to hear all these fire works go off still. =P
It’s pretty funny because at intersections which are borders between the two cities, the fireworks stand will be on the corner closest to my city just because that is the closest they can get to mine since it is also illegal to sell them in my city.
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So people who want fireworks simply need to go across the street to where they’re legal?
In Japan, one city wouldn’t outlaw them within their borders … things are either legal or not in the entire country.
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Yeah it is pretty silly. My city also doesn’t have drive-thru’s for fast food chains but right on the borders you can be sure to find one.
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Is there a law against drive-thru windows?
Why?
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I think it is to keep traffic on streets down. I’ve only ever seen a couple of drive-thrus in my city but none of them are on main streets and are near the ends of the city-limits. So I guess there are some but they are all out of the way.
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Fast-food places in downtown Tokyo don’t have drive-thru windows … but t that’s for the same reason that other big cities like New York don’t either … no space or need.
Suburban areas of Japan have them though .
Some “only-in-America” things:
Drive-thru banking,
Drive-thru grocery stores,
Drive-up pay-phones,
Drive-in theaters,
Etc.
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I guess America is not the land of the free but the land of the lazy. 😛
I’ve heard of all those except for the drive up pay-phones. I guess most people have cell-phones nowadays so they aren’t practical in most cases unless you don’t have a phone or your phone died.
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Well, it’s been awhile since I’ve lived in America so maybe they’re not there anymore … but I don’t think any other country have ever had any of those things I mentioned.
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It is well known because of history books and films, but it is not really observed unless by American expats.
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Are there fireworks shows in Sweden for any reason?
In Japan, U.S. Independence Day isn’t celebrated, but there are many great summer fireworks shows here in late-July and early-August.
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Fireworks often are used at outdoor feasts. Near my home there is an inlet of the Baltic Sea where they fire from boats.
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>Fireworks often are used at outdoor feasts.
Are they “professional” fireworks shows?
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I treated my workmates with a packet of Maryland Cookies from the nearest food store!
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Did you do that in honor of America’s Independence Day?
Thank you.
I wonder, though, what “Maryland cookies” are. 🙂
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To mark the day, yes of course. Maryland cookie is a crunchy chocolate chip cookie. Those I bought are baked in England, so I am not sure how they got the name. There were no true American snacks to find.
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Is America’s Independence Day well-known in Sweden?
Is it commonly observed there?
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