Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2026 — Independence Day (Ten Questions)

4th July, 2026: Independence Day.

I suspect a lot’s going to be happening, today.

Or, at least, I hope there is!

Personally?

I don’t get paid until this Friday: so I’m not doing any thing exciting.

However, the USA … ?

It’s Independence Day.

So … ?

I’m going to officially wish the country a Happy Birthday … whilst thinking the country has a sillier twit than usual in charge!

~≈🇺🇸≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2025 — Independence Day

4th July, 2025: Independence Day.

Did you have a power cut, last night … ?

We did!

At about half past seven.

I thought my fuses had blown, but no, it was a power cut.

One that lasted for about twenty minutes.

UK Power Networks, who are responsible for the electricity infrastructure, were pretty quick in getting a message out.

Letting people know that a cable was at fault, and that electricity should be back on between nine and ten PM.

Thankfully?   The cut didn’t last that long.

Just long enough for me to let the neighbours know I’d had a message about it.

It’s nice to see them … even if it’s at an awkward time!

Heigh-ho!

~≈🔦≈~

Just as a thought … ?

There’s been an announcement … !

Yes: the BBC’s announced that the next classic series to one released on Blu-ray is going to be season thirteen.

There’s no release date, as yet.

But … ?

I’m looking forward to seeing it.

It’s got a couple of favourite stories: including The Brain Of Morbius … !

~≈📀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2022: Independence Day

4th July, 2022.

Right … it’s Tuesday-Eve.

Monday, in other words.

In other words?   The day before Tuesday.

The day I’m due another repair to my washing machine.

Hopefully?

I’ll end up with something workable.

~≈Ï≈~

Just as a thought … ?

The UK’s Army is generally considered one of the best on the planet.

How do we know, though?   I have no idea.

Frankly?

It’s not — thankfully — like they’ve been in a war, recently.

The Army HAS managed to embarrass itself, on line.

Yes: it’s had its Twitter and YouTube accounts, hacked!

Dearie, dearie me … 

~≈Ï≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2020: Independence Day

4th July, 2020.

I THINK I’ve got something out of O2: the company that supplies my mobile phone service.

A couple of weeks ago, the phone mast in my area went down: and is currently being replaced.

The process has been going on for a couple of weeks.

Between you and me?   I expected it to take another week or so.

The scaffold being being built, to get to the roof of the relevant building?   Is only halfway up.

At this rate … ?

It’s going to take at least another week.

At any rate … ?

I managed to get through to the relevant person at O2.

They HAD offered me a £30 credit onto my phone account.

Then upped it to a £45 credit.

Then — finally — agreed to put £45 into my bank account.

As I’d repeatedly pointed out that £45 on my phon was a fat lot of good … if I was getting no signal … 

It should go through with in seven working days.

And will mostly be spent, paying for the landline calls I made … phoning O2 … 

~≈Ü≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2019: Independence Day

4th July, 2019.

OK … it’s not perfect … 

But I’ve got a cheap green screen.

As you may or may not have noticed.

Quite how long I’ll be using it?

I don’t know.

But … ?

At least I’ve got an entertainingly Max Headroom thing going on  … !

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2018: Independence Day.

4th July, 2018.

Interesting … 

If you’re me, that is.

I’m not gay: so you know.

But this piece from the BBC’s news site, telling us the government is planning to ban what’s called gay conversion therapy.

The idea that various forms of treatment can stop you being gay.   (Including what’s called conversion rape.   The idea is that raping a lesbian magically stops her being a lesbian.   The logic of that escapes me.)

At ANY rate?   I’m sort of sympathetic to the ban: although I don’t know if it — like the ban on mobile phone use whilst drivingª — would work.

There’ll be someone.

At any rate … ?   I’m sympathetic,

As I can still remember horror stories about kids being forced into using their right hands.

Here’s hoping.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2017: Independence Day

Right … 

I’m actually up on time!

OK, that’s a pretty much a deadline picked by myself.

But … ?

At least it means I can pick up a repeat prescription in town.

And get some exercise.

Although I’m getting that, laughing.

I’ve just listened to last night’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue.

Hell of an episode*!

~≈Ê≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4-7-2016

Well … 

It’s official … 

We’ve survived a Monday Morning … with out a celebrity dropping dead … !

Which is possibly something to be thankful for.

At any rate … ?

It’s a Monday: one I have off.

And one I … 

Well, frankly, intend to do laundry on: and maybe shop, as well.

Oh … and possibly catch a film: possibly … !

~≈Ï≈~

The Daily Teaser — 4th-July-2014: Independence Day

You know, I’ve had something of a roller-coaster week: emotions going up and down, to match the various bits of good and bad news I’ve received.

I had another unwelcome bit, last night: although not one that affected me, directed.

I’m a Terry Pratchett fan.

So the news, a few years ago, that he’d been diagnosed with a form of early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease touched me, deeply.

As was his involvement in the Right to Die campaign.

~≈Î≈~

Thankfully — or possibly not — the progress of his condition has been slow.

Although, having lost a grandmother to the condition, I’ve always felt that, with each screened interview, I could see the effects of the condition digging in.

There was news from The Guardian, yesterday: Terry’s had to cancel an appearance at an up-coming convention.   Something he’s never had to do, before.

I’m definitely not happy.

And can’t help but wonder this.   When will he be taking this option.

~≈Î≈~

The Daily Teaser — 4-7-2013: US Independence Day.

ARRGGGHHH … !

I have to admit, I think Bruce is on something of a go-slow, today.

But I have had the BBC iPlayer playing through my iPod: streaming, rather than downloading, last night’s episode of Horizon.

I think that’s been hogging the bandwidth.

Shame, really: I was hoping to make more of the fact that Doug Engelbart, the creator of the mouse had died.

Oh, well‡.

Time to move on.

~≈∏≈~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with letting us know know she’s put up an Independence Day post, herself, she also managed to bag five out of six.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we†?   Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, license and video …

Q1) 4th July is US Independence Day: where exactly is the USA celebrating its independence from … ?

Q2) Who was that latter country’s King, at the time … ?

Q3) Who — on 4th July, 1778 — issued a double ration of rum to American troops, to celebrate the day … ?

Q4) Two of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, both later served as US President, and died on 4th July, 1826.   Name either.

Q5) Ironically, one of those men is ALSO credited with inventing the Swivel Chair: which of them … ?

Q6) Finally … Which Rhode Island town is credited with holding the oldest Fourth Of July celebration in the USA … ?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 3rd July, 1979, saw President Jimmy Carter sign a decree that authorized US aid to opponents of a pro-Soviet regime: in which country … ?

A1) Afghanistan.

Q2) 3rd July, 1988, saw the completion of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge: in which country IS that bridge … ?

A2) Turkey.

Q3) More to the point, over which strait does it go … ?

A3) The Bosphorus.

Q4) 3rd July, 1996, saw the Stone Of Scone returned to Scotland: for whose coronation had it last been used … ?

A4) Elizabeth 2nd’s.

Q5) 3rd July, 2006, saw Asteroid XP14 make its closest pass to the Earth.   In which year was it first observed … ?

A5) 2004.

Q6) And finally … 3rd July, 1987, saw Nazi war criminal, Klaus Barbie, sentenced to life imprisonment.   In which French city had he been chief of the Gestapo … ?

A6) Lyon.

I’ll leave you this thought from a well known American Gentleman …

“I have the consolation to believe, that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.”

George Washington, 22 February 1732 – 14 December 1799

And with this tune … 

Have a good day … 

*        Yes: you’re right, Debbi, that video’s just downright STRANGE … !

†        Needless to say, I’m expecting my US readers to do well with this: in-between bouts of turkey.

‡        One piece of good news … ?   Today marks my second year of being a non-smoker!   Yay!

The Independence Day Teaser — 4-7-2012

Hmmm … 

You know, I HAVE to admit, science is baffling, sometimes.

At least, to a layman.

What’s got me mentioning that … ?

Is the simple fact that I’ve had both the BBC’s news channel on, AND BBC Radio 4.

Who’ve both mentioned the hunt for the Higgs Boson: Radio 4’s talking about it again.

From where I’m sitting … ?

I can’t help but think ‘The Hunt For The Higgs Boson’ sounds like a really bad science fiction movie.

Complete with a trailer voice by the late Don La Fontaine.

Hmmm … 

Let’s move on, shall we … ?

‹‹†››

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi putting her answers: along with turning in an absolutely fantastic* post on her Life on the Midlist blog AND telling how she was thinking of getting a quick shout outº, also bagging 5 out of 7^.

Let’s see how she, you, AND the rest of my US readers do with today’s Independence Day questions, shall we?

Here’s the questions, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 4th July is US Independence Day, commemorating the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted: in which year … ?

Q2) Traditionally, 13 Gun salutes are held at many Independence Day celebrations: the guns of that salute represent the original 13 what … ?

Q3) 4th July, 1777, saw the first 13 gun salute held to celebrate US Independence Day: in which US state … ?

Q4) Name either of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence to later become US Presidents.

Q5) More to the point, who’s the only US president to be born on the 4th of July … ?

Q6) In the film, Independence Day, who played Captain Steven Hiller … ?

Q7) Moving on … 4th July, 2009, saw which tourist attraction re-open, after it had been shut during the September 11th attacks … ?

Q8) 4th July, 1976, saw Israeli commandos rescue 100 hostages from Entebbe Airport: in which African country is Entebbe Airport?

Q9) 4th July, 1977, saw who sacked as manager of Manchester United … ?

Q10) And finally … 4th July, 1985, saw who named as the youngest Briton to receive a degree from Oxford … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 3rd July, 987, saw Hugh Capet crowned as King of France.   His dynasty stopped ruling France in which revolutionary year … ?

A1) 1792.   (There’s been other King of the line since: but King Louis 18th and his four descendants barely count …)

Q2) More to the point, who WAS that — latter — French king … ?

A2) Louis 16th.

Q3) 3rd July, 1886, saw the New York Times become the first newspaper to use a Linotype machine, which eliminated what: woodblock printing, screen-printing or manual letter-by-letter handset printing?

A3) Manual letter-by-letter handset printing.

Q4) 3rd July, 1996, saw the Stone of Scone returned to Scotland: in which English city had it been, until then … ?

A4) London.

Q5) More to the point, in which church and tourist attraction … ?

A5) Westminster Abbey.

Q6) 3rd July, 1971, saw who found dead in a bath, in a Paris hotel … ?

A6) Jim Morrison, of The Doors.

Q7) And finally … 3rd July, 2005, saw which country announce legalized same-sex marriage … ?

A7) Spain.

Enjoy those, everyone: Happy birthday, America … 

Here … 

Let’s see what Jimi‡ can do, shall we … ?

Oh … And just to poke fun at an American icon … 

*        Hang ON, there, Debbi, that extract’s just the first draft … ?   Bloody HELL!   Save me a copy of that: the draft’s superb … !

º        If it’s any help, Debbi … ?   The Brentwood branch of Starbucks has free wi-fi: as does Café Nero.   And most of the pubs in town, along with some of the restaurants.   Ok, that’s a HELL of a way to travel … 

‡        You know, he’s probably getting a bit hacked about being dug up, every 4th of July, but … 

^        Got to admit, Debbi, I was looking a BIT further down the list … 

The Daily Teaser: 4-7-11

You know, I’ve GOT to admit, I’m blowed if I can find the reference, now.

I hate that, when that happens, I really do.

Seriously.

“Reference to what … ?”, I hear you ask.

Well …

Believe it or not, to Jimi Hendrix’s handedness, to be frank.

I’m left-handed.

And love having an excuse to talk about it.

The frustrating bit …

Is that while the late J. M. Hendrix famously played guitar, left handedly, I’m certain I’ve seen claims he was right-handed: and that playing guitar left-handedly, was about all he did do left-handedly.

»»•««

There’s a reason for all of this burbling, if you hadn’t guessed.

Today is, of course, Independence Day, in the US: the day when our US cousins celebrate gaining their independence from a tyrannical British monarchy. Or the day that the UK got shot of an expensive — and rather snotty — bunch of colonists who’ll get sued, one day, for abusing the language.

Debbi, Kaiju, Alexandra, it’s ok, I’m teasing!

But talking of teasing …

»»•««

Let’s get seriously moving.

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi, bless her, putting in her answers: and managed to bag 5 out of 5.

Lets see how she — and you — do with today’s Independence Day questions, shall we? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …

Q1) 4th July is — obviously — Independence Day in the US: but when is Constitution Day in the US … ?

Q2) Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is usually held on the 4th of July: in which part of Brooklyn is Nathan’s Restaurant?

Q3) In which year was the first recorded use of the phrase, Independence Day … ?

Q4) In which year did the Beach Boys record the song, 4th Of July?

Q5) And finally … the Fourth of July is a variety of which fruit … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 3rd July, 1844, saw the death of the last known pair of Great Auks: on an island off the coast of which country … ?

A1) Iceland.

Q2) 3rd July, 1987, saw which former Gestapo officer sentenced to life imprisonment …?

Q2) Klaus Barbie.

Q3) 3rd July, 1996, saw what formally returned to Scotland … ?

A3) The Stone of Scone. (Also known as the Stone of Destiny.)

Q4) 3rd July, 1960, saw the birth of songwriter and keyboard player, Vince Clarke: name any of the three British bands he’s been involved with.

A4) Depeche Mode, Yazoo, or Erasure.

Q5) And finally … 3rd Jly, 1988, saw the completion of the second bridge between Europe and Asia: over which straits?

A5) The Bosphorus.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll leave you with the Jimi Hendrix take on The Star Spangled Banner …