How people in the UK are marking America’s 250th independent anniversary
Booze was just one of the things that fueled revolutionary America 250 years ago. People attending events in the UK say they enjoy learning about the scope of cultural crossover; Not only is the United States’ big birthday a turning point with global repercussions, but it also teaches them about their own part of the world.
Participants on Mark Grant’s tour of the City of London say the deep dive into American history also has the effect of showing them a side of their city they never knew.
“He took me down some side streets I’d never been before,” says local resident Peter Tidmarsh. “I’m just stunned.”
It’s not for nothing that Grant has appeared as a contestant on the BBC’s Mastermind game show 13 times, thanks in part to his prolific knowledge of the UK capital. Blue plaques, historic saloons, and even the site of a church that moved brick by brick to Missouri—all these places are featured on his tour.
For Grant, the Square Mile is a character in its own right in the American story and offers an illuminating window into how a young United States might have viewed a turning point in history. “Cities [in the UK and the US] “It would be the same, and that’s the basis of everything,” he thinks.
Grant, who is Australian by birth, admits he is neutral on which side was responsible for the famous 18th-century schism. Meanwhile, the Brits on the tour insist they are not taking sides; They just came to learn something.
“Well, there is a bit of regret,” jokes Tim Parry from Essex. “But I think we’re over that.”
“I think 250 years is long enough,” adds Tidmarsh.
