The Fourth of July, Independence Day, America’s birthday—whatever you want to call it, this holiday is a time for celebration. As it evokes the rich history of a proud, tumultuous country, the Fourth of July reminds us of all that we have in common, of the single, shared yearning that resides deep in the heart of every human being: the desire to blow things up. July Fourth is a holiday designed to terrify dogs and assert America’s dominance through firepower.

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