THIS IS A SPECIAL WEEKEND IN AMERICA. Because the Fourth of July holiday falls on Tuesday, most Americans stayed away from work yesterday, and treated themselves to a four-day weekend. That has given us time to fire up the barbecues, catch some of Wimbledon (starts at 7:00 a.m. in most U.S. time zones), a bit of the World Cup, and some good old American baseball.

It’s not clear how many Americans remember what the holiday is all about as they march in parades and, in regions where there has been enough rain to eliminate the threat of fire, set off dazzling firework displays. President Bush is jogging American memories: the holiday is a celebration of freedom from foreign oppression, won in a long war whipped up by a band of brilliant revolutionaries (aka our Founding Fathers) intent on ending English rule in the 13 colonies.