Celebrating the Red, White and Blue in England?

Is it just me or does it sound weird that London's hosting American Independence Day celebrations this weekend? And no, it's not England's way of saying "good riddance."

As reported yesterday on CNN.com, countries around the world plan to set off fireworks in celebration of America's July Fourth anniversary.

In England, there's the seventh annual Fourth of July picnic party at Battersea Park, which Time Out London magazine listed as a "must-do" event. Will this be a popular event? In case you were wondering, the party's website says it's already fully booked! To think, with their fireworks starting hours before the East Coast's, London will kick start the party for us.

Canada will also celebrate July Fourth — though it's technically a double party for Canada Day (July 1) as well — with fireworks on the shores of Lake Ontario, while Rome's hosting the 20th anniversary of its Independence Day celebrations at Marymount International School. The Aussies (who are always looking for a reason to party) will get rowdy alongside their Yankee friends with food and fireworks at the Hunters Hill Sailing Club on Sydney Harbour, and though there will be no fireworks in Buenos Aires, Americans expats in Argentina will honor the motherland with the annual July 4 pub crawl.

To think, for years we heard how people in other countries hate America, but clearly that can't be true for the vast majority who will join in solidarity with us on July Fourth. It's an honor that they would even participate in our celebration because, let's be honest, did you even know it was Canada Day on Wednesday? I didn't think so.

Photo by AC Hardman courtesy of Flickr.