If you’ve been a frequenter of this blog, you have probably noticed that most of the posts are about the United States of America and Americans, typically about the hockey played within it and by them.

It’s a great time to be an American hockey fan and it’s always a great time to be American, which is why I decided to have a little Independence Day fun here at United States of Hockey. This is definitely not your normal USofH post. Hockey can take a break for one day, right? I mean, as long as Zach Parise and Ryan Suter haven’t signed yet, And since great Americans Zach Parise and Ryan Suter have decided to join forces, we can all have a little fun I think.

Everyone knows that the bald eagle is one of the great symbols of America. Stoic, strong, majestic, free. Coming up after the jump, A Celebration of America in Pictures of Bald Eagles. Happy Independence Day, everyone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA. HERE IS YOUR CAKE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA

BALD EAGLE TAKES WHAT IT WANTS

Photo by Rick Warren. Click for back story from Bellingham Herald

We are granted certain inalienable rights in this country. Among them, life, liberty and property. Bald eagles, by virtue of their very being, are also granted such rights. This is what happens when one encroaches on the inalienable rights of bald eagles. They take what’s theirs. Photo via @SkinnyPPPhish

THIS PHOTO WAS NOT ALTERED, NOPE

Via @robschmit and his Fourth of July Party invite to me.

Doesn’t get realer than this.

AMERICA, THE BEAUTIFUL SPARKLING GIF

Yup.

Brought to my attention by Bruins/Blues blogger Sarah Connors some time ago, this has become a staple on United States of Hockey. Every time I try to look away I can’t. I’m pretty sure the American Revolution was launched with the hope that one day someone could make this and share it. Patrick Henry was once quoted as saying, “Give me .gifs, or give me death.” I think that’s right.

YOUR NEXT T-SHIRT PURCHASE

via BuzzFeed

Majestic, stoic, responsible. Always wear a helmet, kids. You can share your passion for helmet safety and motorcycle/bald eagle enthusiasm with the world for only $20. What a country.

FROM THE AMERICAN GRANDFATHER COLLECTION

By “Darlene” via @robschmit

Do you have a grandfather? This is probably framed in his basement right next to his Lee Greenwood signed LP.

SOUND ADVICE, HAT DIVISION

Via @robschmit

BY ALL MEANS, INHALE

From theChive via @MikeBradley27

Who doesn’t love a good meme? Especially one so aggressively American.

COMING TO NHL ARENAS EVERYWHERE

Via @robschmit

A petition with 150 signatures (all mine), has been sent to Commissioner Gary Bettman to ensure that any and all American players in the National Hockey League are required to wear this patch over their hearts 82 games a year. However, I would also settle for this becoming the Toronto Maple Leafs new primary logo.

WELL, SURE… THAT MAKES SENSE

Art by SharpWriter via Deviant Art

Stephen Colbert is a person. An American person. In this instance, he’s an American person on a gigantic eagle. This artist is doing pretty incredible things with past American presidents, too. Some might even say absurdly patriotic things.

MOST AMERICAN MUPPET

via @runwiththedogs and @en4cer45

Sam The Eagle is fiercely patriotic and easily the most Nixonian of eagles. Also, the Muppetest.

I DON’T KNOW

Art by David Colarusso. Click for back story.

You mean you didn’t hear about that time George Washington’s first year as president was nearly marred by a robot takeover? A little old fashioned elbow grease and nuclear-enhanced eagles took care of that. Thanks to Matt Moran for passing it along. This picture received a 10 out of a possible 10 Tim Thomas Mustaches on the ratings scale I made up just now, by the way.

VOLCANIC INDEPENDENCE

via @MattyMo

I have been reaching to find the symbolism here, but I think I figured it out. See, the British were really starting to get on the nerves of these chaps in the colonies. So much so that the anger within these gentlemen was bubbling up, not unlike magma. There was a little smoke escaping when these fellows dressed up like Native Americans and threw some tea into a harbor, and then BOOM. An explosion of 56 signatures on this little piece of paper called the “Declaration of Independence.” America was born, violently. Nailed it. Photo found by Matt Moran, what a great guy.

And finally…

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, AMERICA

Photo By Norman Hayward, bigmanwithacamera.com