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Independence Day
Independence Day

This mural on Freret Street in Uptown New Orleans is an appropriate one for July 4th. It reminds us that our liberty is dependent on that of our fellow-man. 7/5/12

This mural on Freret Street in Uptown New Orleans is an appropriate one for July 4th. It reminds us that our liberty is dependent on that of our fellow-man. 7/5/12

This mural on Freret Street in Uptown New Orleans is an appropriate one for July 4th. It reminds us that our liberty is dependent on that of our fellow-man. 7/5/12

This mural on Freret Street in Uptown New Orleans is an appropriate one for July 4th. It reminds us that our liberty is dependent on that of our fellow-man. 7/5/12

While fireworks are generally a part of July 4 celebrations across America, New Orleans seems a uniquely-appropriate place to celebrate our great country. It is a city, founded by French explorers near a Native American village, later run by the Spanish and then the Americans, to which came Africans, Jews, the Irish, Italians, Haitians, Mexicans and Vietnamese. All of these diverse cultures have left their mark on New Orleans, making it paradoxically America’s most exotic city and at the same time the most American city of all. In New Orleans this year, the fireworks were preceded by a Navy band concert, and followed by the same All-Star Brass Band that had been playing on Bourbon Street earlier in the evening. 

Walking around the French Quarter in New Orleans, July 4, 2012

The Ruby Slipper has been a great Mid-City place to get breakfast in New Orleans, and it now has a location in the downtown, one block southwest of Canal Street in the Pelham Hotel. Unfortunately, they decided to be closed on the Fourth, so I had to walk up to the Camellia Grill, another New Orleans institution that has opened a French Quarter location. Thankfully, they were open. 

In some ways, New Orleans is the quintessential American city, a blending of many different cultures, and a most appropriate place to celebrate the Fourth of July.