Brian Williams writes
Before there was a verdict in the Casey Anthony trial, before 6th Avenue in New York filled up with workday traffic, before Tuesday dawned across this country: it was the 4th of July. While it’s often an excuse for bedding sales, it’s also a genuine holiday—celebrated the way (more or less) John Adams wanted us to celebrate it. Even the most reserved people find a way to wear something patriotic, and even the most cautious allow themselves to wave a sparkler around.
July 4th is a great day—a house at the lake, a backyard, the beach, a public park, a State Park (except for Wisconsin), men in baggy shorts, kids with dirty faces, cheeseburgers that are a sketchy red/blue at the center, waiting until dark to light off the first shell, driving home after fireworks to put sleepy, sweaty kids to bed. I've been assured we'll have another one next year, which is a good thing—because sitting here at work, I can't come up with anything particularly great about July 5th. Except for the fact that we're preparing a great broadcast for you tonight, and we'd love for you to join us.