> > M"Don't even get me started on being the only
> > major Anglicized nation in the world to not
> > celebrate Boxing Day"el
>
> Boxing Day? What is it? If it's some holiday that pertains to Britain as a country instead of just Western society in general, then that's probably it. Most of the other former British countries became independent in a way where they still remained friendly with the British, whereas we basically overthrew them in a big giant war. And then another one when they tried to take us back. We're on good terms with them now, but we generally don't go about picking up more holidays from England because we like them now.


Boxing Day: December 26; traditionally the day when the gentry would give presents (in boxes, I guess) to their servants, and sometimes other members of the lower class riff-raff. It's now a legal bank holiday, which I'll assume means no work and no school.

It doesn't sound like a patriotically British holiday, so I'm not sure why we don't observe it. Pity that we don't though, it would be nice to get the day after Christmas off (not that it would make much difference for a student like me, but my parents would definitely appreciate it).

>I believe Canada, Australia, and New Zealand didn't become their own countries until long after we did, and they maintained governmental ties with England for a long time afterward.

Actually, they still have governmental ties to England. Though I think that in practice that doesn't amount to much more than having Queen Elizabeth hold the title of "Official" Chief of State, and having her mug plastered on all the coins and notes.

> -Erick Sleatour
> Thu 18 Oct A.D. 2001

M"I prefer dead presidents on _my_ money"el