C Днём Независимости! (Day of Independence!)

[mendeleyev]

C Днём Независимости! (Day of Independence!)

 

Official flag of the Russian American Company when Alaska and parts of what is now Northern California were Russian ruled. The flag of the Russian American Company was authorized under Czar Alexander I. This flag was first flown on the North American continent in 1806 at Russia�s Fort Ross in what is now part of Northern California.

The flag also flew in Alaska, a Russian possession at the time. The flag flew over Alaska until October 18th, 1867 when all Russian American Company holdings in Alaska were sold to the United States.

Today Russian President Dmitry Medvedev congratulated USA President Barrack Obama on America�s Independence Day:

�Russian-US relations play a key part in maintaining global security and stability. Our countries have made substantial advances of late in developing constructive and mutually advantageous cooperation in a wide range of areas, from reducing strategic nuclear weapons, to working together on high technology and innovation.

We seek to build on the results of our meeting in France this May and intensify our joint efforts to develop our bilateral relations. I hope that our upcoming contacts over the rest of this year, including your planned visit to Russia, will give us the chance to reach mutually acceptable decisions on a number of important issues, including matters that concern the interests of not just our countries but the entire world.�

(From the Mendeleyev Journal)

[Rubicon]

Great post Mendeleyev.

I wish you and all others a happy and safe 4th of July with your family and friends.

[TwoBitBandit]

I'm thankful that my ancestors were able to eschew His Majesty's oppressive reign of terror and make freedom in this land possible.

[Gator]

Mendeleyev,
 
And a Happy Fourth to you as well.
 
I did not know about the flag you pictured.  Thanks.  I do recall some of the long but insignificant history of Russians in Alaska and California. Do you know that Russians were also in Hawaii?
 
In 1741 Russian explorers were the first Europeans to set foot on Alaska.  The strait between Alaska and Russia is named after the Danish navigator who at the time was in the service of the Russian Navy.   
 
Russians came to Alaska for fur.  The history featured exploitation of the native tribes as done elsewhere in America.   The Fort Ross you mentioned was created in Sonoma County to support the fur trade.  Through Sonoma County flows the Russian River, one of the better wine producing areas. 
 
The fur trade was not very profitable for the Russians due in part to forceful competition from the British Hudson Bay Company.  The Russians stayed along the coast and did not venture to the interior, thus never aware of the gold in California and Alaska.   Oddly, the Russians sold Ft. Ross to John Sutter a few years before gold was discovered at one of his other properties in 1849.   
 
When the Tsar sold Alaska to America in 1867, the number of Russian settlers was small.  And most of them returned to Russia. 

[mendeleyev]

I didn't know about Hawaii! Thanks, Gator.

[mendeleyev]

Will you be in Moscow on 09 July? If so, you can enjoy the Moscow celebration of American Independence on Saturday 9 July at the beautiful Moscow State University Lomonosov Botanical Gardens called "Aptekarsky Ogorod".





Hosted by the Moscow chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce, more information is here: http://amcham.ru/events/upcoming/eleinddep

For those who read Russian the park's website is: http://www.hortus.ru/

In past celebrations there have been hot air balloon rides, concerts and dozens of outdoor cafes featuring American styled food dishes. Children were entertained at a special playground and performances by clowns and festivities culminated with a spectacular fireworks display. This year's event should be just as special.

[SteveOR]

I'm thankful that my ancestors were able to eschew His Majesty's oppressive reign of terror and make freedom in this land possible.

And that since independence America has never had a monarch, czar, dictator or other "supreme" leader.  I think that not having hereditary leaders is one of the things that makes America strong.
 
Happy 4th everyone!
 
 

[BC]

And that since independence America has never had a monarch, czar, dictator or other "supreme" leader.  I think that not having hereditary leaders is one of the things that makes America strong.
 
Happy 4th everyone!

Regardless, lineage has played a role in US politics.. Look at the Kennedy's, the Bush's the Clinton's etc.  Moreover, the power of wealth dominates these days.  Does not have to be personal wealth, but without it any campaign is doomed.  It is somewhat democratic however so guess no real reason to complain.

Enjoy the fireworks!.. certainly more to come in the days ahead..

[SteveOR]

 
Although I added "czar" and "dictator" to my list I was thinking more along the lines of the British Monarchy.  None of our Presidents have ever had to meet with the hereditary monarch upon election.  Nor do they send messages to the Queen in a box for her to read and respond to.  Our President IS the head of state and doesn't have to tolerate or pretend to report to one like a British PM does.  Ideally the only people they report to are the electorate.  In practice and as you said money (wealth) tends to skew the ideal.  Even so I'll take an elected head of state over a hereditary one any day.
 
For every Peter the Great there is a Nicholas II and the only way to remove either from office is death, either natural or forced. . .
 
 

[mendeleyev]

Just an update on the 4th of July in Moscow.

Correspondent Marina Kosareva of the international VOICE of RUSSIA radio attended the American festivities and started her report at Spaso House, the residence of the USA Ambassador.

Her report is audio only as it was on radio, but it is in English. It's not short but it is interesting: http://english.ruvr.ru/data/2011/07/05/1253292763/OUT_ABOUT%2005_07_11.mp3

[Ronnie]

During a tour of Independence Hall in Philadelphia two years ago, the park ranger asked the group during his orientation speech if we knew when the Declaration of Independence was signed.  After several people offered July 4, 1776 with no response from the ranger, I made a nerd of myself by giving the correct answer...August 2, 1776. 



July 4 represents the day the the Declaration was adopted by the delegates but time was needed to print and distribute the draft and eventual final copy before it was signed.