Growing up in the UK, there was never an actual day of "National Identity", the closest we got was "Bonfire Night" on November 5 where we celebrate the attempt to assassinate the King and Parliament, but it certainly was not a national public holiday (Its a British thing, part of our sense of humour, just roll with it)..
But it was a totally different experience when I lived in Norway. A country which for several centuries was either a province of Denmark and then following the Napoleonic wars, part of Sweden (with an attempt at independence during the transition period in 1814), but finally returned to being a sovereign country in 1905. So Norway is both a young country, with a long history, and their National day is May 17 to commemorate the 1814 declaration of independence.
It was always a fun day, with every one waving flags, actually my first year theire, I was awoken early because I lived in a house by the Fjord and one of the Norwegian naval ships fired a 21 gun salute, which could not be slept thru!
I was reminded of the "Syttende Mai" celebrations today when we went to watch the Northwest Hills July 4th parade in Austin. Austin celebrates the 4th in the way that Austin always does best, patriotic on the one hand, but fiercely independent (but oh so very Austin) on the other...
We had the coordinated display of the NorthWest Hills Lawn Chair ladies, the kids on the floats with super-soakers - and the Sheriffs constable on duty daring them to soak him (Texas, July - you do the math), vintage cars and general frivolity (and a full memory card!!).
In Hindsight, the closest we got to something like this in my lifetime while I lived in the UK was back in 1977, when we had street parties for the Queens Silver Jubilee (which was the year after the USA Bi-centenial, hmmm)..
So to you all Happy July 4th, or as one person who pinged me to wish me a happy "Brexit 1776"!!!

OK, now when I saw this proud dad walking in the parade, my reaction was instantly - "Isn't this what 4th July is really about?"

And the Northwst Lawnchair ladies, in synchronised march..

And synchronised sitting...

And there was some awesome Vintage car porn...

May I point out this next car is painted "British Racing Green"? In fact "MG" is/was a British make...

Anyone remember the cartoon series "Whacky Races", and the car full of 1920's Chicago mobsters?

It was fun seeing the kids with their super soakers, altho of course I did notice I gotten this picture until reviewing later. Wish I had got the followup photo as well...

And the last picture of the day comes under the title of "yeah - thats so very Austin..."

PS, no offense intended by referring to it as "Brexit 1776" - in fact we have a dinner party coming up among friends where it is our turn to host, and since it is right after 4th July we are cooking a full traditional English Roast dinner to celebrate...