As I mentioned yesterday, today is the official celebration of Independence Day here in the U.S., since tomorrow is a Saturday. I think Independence Day is a great excuse for a floating holiday to always fall on a Monday since the date is actually somewhat arbitrary. The U.S. formally declared independence from Britain on July 2, 1776, and founding father John Adams thought that would end up being the holiday. The Declaration of Independence was printed on the 4th, first publicly read on the 8th, and most of the signatures on it came in August, so there was definitely some wiggle room for when to celebrate this. Of course it's too late to address this now, as more people call the occasion the Fourth of July. So there, happy Third of July! Have fun, and please don't get yourself blown up.

Independent Links:	Thanks Ant and Acleacius.
Play:	Crazycle. Fire & Frost. Ricochet Kills Space.
Link:	How To Make A DIY Air Conditioner At Home.
Stories:	US sees its first measles death in a dozen years. Thanks to scientists like Jim Carrey. Revamped Bubble Wrap no longer pop-able. A sad day.
Science:	Fourth of July Downer- Fireworks Cause Spike in Air Pollution.
Media:	Two identical cards show up in high stakes poker game. I declare shenanigans. Life hacking - How to park 2 cars in one garage. Most errors in one baseball play I've ever seen. #littleleague.
Follow-up:	BP to pay $18.7 billion in Deepwater Horizon legal settlement.