This is our nation's 247th birthday.   Time  magazine this morning had two articles providing a slightly different view of what really happened in 1776: July 1776 Was a Shotgun Wedding .  In effect, the Continental Congress saved Democracy from almost certain civil war by finding a way to cooperate. America's "Real" Independence Day is not July 4 .   That day should have been 2 July 1776.  Why?  Read the article. The  New York Times  this morning said: Drones and lasers are becoming   more popular as an alternative to fireworks , minimizing wildfire risks.  Also pet friendly and will not cause any air pollution. Coco Gauff lost in the first round of Wimbledon. Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo are favored to win today's Nathan's hot dog eating contest. There was a two-hour delay because of weather, but Chestnut ( only ate 62, not the record 76 ) and Sudo ( 39.5, before the delay ) did win their Mustard Belts.  I find this competition too nauseating.  But if you want

Vladimir Putin this weekend supposedly escaped an assassination attempt .  This is the bridge where explosives were placed.  Then again, maybe not, but it was the one he regularly traverses. Remember, tomorrow is that bridge day that leads to July 4 on Tuesday, which is Independence Day, and a Federal holiday for all in the USA.  Monday is a day off also for people in West Virginia. For tennis fans, Wimbledon has already begun and will continue until Sunday, July 16, on grass courts, of which there are 18.   First began in 1877, all male.   Men still dominate, as the singles champ wins around $3 million, with $1.5 million for the female winner.   128 entrants in both male and female brackets.  Actually, it's more than that, for there will be 15 titles when you add age categories, wheelchair competition, etc.   Novak Djokovic is favored  at -150 ( in other words, bet $150 to win $100, or has a 60% chance of prevailing ).   He has won this tournament the past few years.  #1 seed Carl