Posted: 2^nd July 2012

Historical Phantasmagorical

Have you got your hot dogs, hamburgers, lighter fuel and other incendiary materials ready? Then you're preparing for one of those events that take place in early July in some parts of the English-speaking world: the annual picnic and fireworks binge patriotic holiday. As you prepare to roast dubious meat products while listening to stirring songs on the radio, we at the h2g2 Post have decided to offer ridiculous and confusing enlightening and informative historical background material to enhance your appreciation of the festivities.

Er, okay, full confession: it's all Awix's fault. He picked this week to submit a review of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, a film calculated to annoy more historians than Troy did. Awix has inspired Anthea (see cartoon) and me (see another cartoon, but read Awix first, so you know why I'm picking on the Lord Protector). jwf got in on the fun, vowing to counteract the predicted jingoism of a US editor in July. After all, it's Canada Day, darn it. A host of h2g2 Researchers helped by dredging their memories of patriotic lyrics they love to hate.

The result? What we hope will be a fun romp through the commemoration business. Everybody's so patriotic this week, even the Brightling aliens are marching. Feel free to comment and discuss what doofuses you think we all are. We'll answer, but not until we've snagged the last marshmallow.

For those who are heartily tired of all this bombast, there's a sanity corner below. Some h2g2ers have higher things on their minds, such as wildlife, etymologies, and writing. Oh, yeah – speaking of writing, send us some (gmail address below, as usual).

Keep cool, stay sane, and enjoy your holidays. We hear those 'Battle of Marston Moor' picnics are a blast.

Dmitri Gheorgheni

• 
  The Post Quiz


What do you know

about 'independency'?

• To Whom It May Concern


jwf has the real

story on Canada Day.

• Patriotic Gore: Musical Bombast


Our intrepid Researchers

deconstruct the noise.

• Gheorgheniplex


The 42nd Alien Infantry

performs a re-enactment.

SPOOKY HISTORY

• 
  24 Lies a Second:
  
  I Elected an Axe Murderer


Awix tells us what

went on in that log cabin.

• 
  Duck Tails: Abe Duck


Anthea with a new

Presidential portrait.

• Cartoon Corner


Cromwell and a major

BRITISH victory!

• Ink, Stamps, or Wiggs


Why the US isn't British.
Re-run back by request.

SANITY CORNER

• 
  Colours of Wildlife


Willem painted a Martial Eagle.

• 
  New English Words Quiz:
  
  Summer 2012


Icy North composed a challenge.

• Writing Right with Dmitri


The Darwins wrote, and wrote.

• 
  The Post Oddity of the Week


There was satire in 1885.

• 
  Email the Post Team
  


For submissions and editorial feedback

• 
  The Post Readers' Forum
  


Chat about The Post with other

readers and the Team