July the 4th is not a day of celebration, but one of mourning.
We wear black and carry a coffin through the streets, containing the old US flag (the one with the Union Jack instead of stars), draped in the Union Jack itself. Then it is stored in the crypt of Westminster Abbey for another year, and the Archbishop does a ceremony of reconciliation. At this point, Big Ben chimes 13 times (once for each colonial State) and 50 doves are released in Hyde Park. Afterwards, a ceremony is held for the soldiers lost on both sides of the American Revolution. Then we go home and watch U.S. sitcoms to cheer ourselves up... ;) |
