TexasFred found today’s music…

Here we go again with a mega-linkfest. No politics in this one; just a heap of people remembering why today is special.

• Scott has a moving video of our history (along with another good rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner”).
• Jed and Zip deliver the flags.
• Lawhawk, eddiebear, and Sean Hackbarth break out the fireworks.
• Rick Moran brought back his liveblog of the Continental Congress (scroll down; I’m too lazy to link directly to the 7/2 and 7/3 entries, and the 7/4 one isn’t up yet).
• Owen, Stephen Green, Laughing Wolf, sodaboy, Slublog, lawhawk, Peter, Kate, John Adams (the blogger, not the President), Paul Socha, doubleplusundead, gopfolk, William Teach (with a pinup), and Cuffy Meigs all break out at least part of the Declaration of Independence.
• James T. Harris reposts a Rush Limbaugh classic on what the Founding Fathers gave up to sign and stand by the Delcaration.
• Ed Morrissey declares the Delcaration “timeless and of its time”.
• Tom DeLay posted a speech he used to give stating that America is not an accident.
• Heather Radish breaks out a classic Cox and Forkum cartoon.
• BrewFan quotes Abraham Lincoln.
• Just A Grunt asks us to not harp on what is wrong because we are the example for the rest of the world.
• Mary Lazich explains why America is the best country on Earth.
• Robert uses the words of Shelby Evens to explain the meaning of today.
• Huckleberry Dumbell dug up a poem from a “guest” of Stalag Luft I.
• RidesAPaleHorse has another moving tribute.
• Ed Morrissey reminisces about his first trip to DC 3 years ago today.
• Kathryn Jean Lopez found that even Google got into the spirit of things.
• Jimi is a busy man today, but not too busy to wish everybody a Happy 4th.
• S. Weasel found the real Uncle Sam (at least according to Wikipedia).
• Mike breaks out some Classic Reagan Humor.
• US Citizen asks God to bless those who stand with America. Amen.
• Mary uses John Adams (the President, not the blogger) to explain why she loves this country.
• Janet Evans found some symbols worth talking about.
• RadicalRon replays Red Skelton and the Pledge.
• Paul Socha recites it as well.
• Asian Badger keeps it short and sweet.
• Vivian Lee does LOLRabbitz.
• Kevin Fischer does a triple-shot of John Wayne, Elvis Presley and Kate Smith.
• MataHarley recites the preamble to the Constitution (it’s much shorter than the one to the Declaration).
• Mike remembers Samuel Adams.
• Fred went with the simple.
• McQ doesn’t want to live anywhere else. Ditto, at least until 1/20/2009.
• Josh Schroeder is glad we’re no longer part of the British monarchy.
• Jim Hoft brings news of the largest re-enlistment ceremony in history and a letter from the Polish contingent in Afghanistan to our troops in Bagram.
• Stephan Tawney asks us to remember those that keep us free.

I may or may not update this yet today to throw even more linkage outbound. If I forgot you, kick me.

• Phelony Jones stresses the word “Independence”. Since she is a fan of pinup art, I’m not surprised she and William Teach used the same picture.
• Shoebox adds himself to the Red Skelton Pledge video as he urges us to celebrate.
• Sister Toldjah woke up with an extra spring in her step.
• Add Mark McNally to the list of those quoting from the Declaration.
• See-dubya remembers going shooting (both fireworks and guns) on the Fourth as a child.

R&E part 2 (8:33 pm CDT 7/4/2008) - More incoming…

• Dave in Texas went to a good 4th of July parade.
• Dri and Heather Radish break out the Muppets.
• Emperor Misha I says, “Let us swear to (keep this Republic) or die trying.”
• Anwyn thanks those that earned our freedom.
• Kat tears up over a particular phrase in the National Anthem.
• John has a few things to remember, such as freedom not being the same as safety or security.
• Lance Burri explores how the Declaration changed the world.
• Jim Lynch remembers the parades and picnics of his youth.
• Add William Smith and silent E to the list of those reposting the Declaration.
• Plebian says, “Sally Fourth.” The mosquitoes are just too bad here, though the steaks, chicken, corn, burgers and brats my older sister cooked up before I retreated back to the bunker were very good.
• Trail-Mix keeps the message simple, though the delivery is beautiful.
• Sean M. delivers more fireworks (there is a content warning on the video).
• Ed Driscoll flies the flag.
• Curt’s word of the day is “sacrifice”.
• John Adams posted a lot of pics from Whitewater’s parade.
• Mary Katharine Ham reveals her reading list.
• Headless Blogger remembered his trip to Monticello and Mt. Vernon.
• Ace has the true point of Independence Day.
• Leslie Carbone rolls video of a re-enactment of the reading of the Declaration to the citizens of colonial Williamsburg.
• Michelle Malkin does a multimedia presentation.
• Mike celebrates Thanksgiving in July.
• Sgt. Relic reflects on the direction we’re going.
• Keith Conrad reposts the famous painting of the signing of the Declaration.
• Professor Stephen Bainbridge says that Independence Day was the second domino.
• I almost made it through the day without an Obamination update. Jon Ham noticed something odd, but entirely predictable; a lot of Durham homes with American flags, a lot of Durham homes with Obama signs, but not one with both.
• Justin Higgins photographed the Washingotn Monument and a lot of flags.
• Silent E provides yet another patriotic song.
• Wyatt Earp, who feels lucky to have been Philly-born and -raised one day each year, does the Top Ten thing.
• Teresa rolls with the fireworks.
• Mark Hemingway has the pic of the day.
• John McCormack has some more required reading.
• Carol Platt Liebau reposts some classic Reagan.
• Nick Schweitzer salutes high treason.
• Eric explains what July 4 means to him.
• Ragnar says that we are indeed the shining city on the hill.
• Dan Deibert reposts John Adams’ letter to his wife.
• JihadGene says, “It’s time to dance.”
• R&E part 3 (8:49 pm CDT) - Xbradtc says to not forget the “small, but wonderful” ways patriotism is expressed.