Letter to the editor on Independence Day from the President of Richmond, The American International University in London

10 May 2019

Dear Editor

As a US citizen who has lived in various countries, from Thailand to India, I always look forward to celebrating July 4^th.  Now that I’ve returned recently to the UK and planning a barbecue for Independence Day, it struck me recently just how big a deal it is for the US economy.

For instance, did you know that 150m hotdogs are eaten in the US every July 4^th, when 65 per cent of Americans attend a picnic or barbecue and $825m is spent on fireworks to mark the day? It’s also America’s top drinking beer holiday of the year, with $1,720m being spent on beer and cider during the two weeks prior to July 4^th, $1,114m on soft drinks and $568m on wine.

In Bristol, Rhode Island, they literally paint the town red, white, and blue, including a painted road for the annual parade on July 4^th, with the celebrations starting on Flag Day, June 14^th.

With 62 per cent of Americans owning a US flag, it’s the biggest patriotic, flag-waving day in the calendar; last year, 87 per cent of the population, that’s 216m Americans, celebrated the day.

As the (US) President of the UK’s only American University where all of our students can gain a UK and US degree, I’d like to encourage everyone to celebrate July 4^th.  You don’t need to be in the US to mark Independence Day, have a picnic or barbecue, or find an event near you and make the day truly transatlantic.

Professor Lawrence Abeln

President of Richmond, The American International University in London