After all, this is the year in which we normally reticent Brits can throw our caps in the air and indulge in some of those fist-on-fist bumps and hand-to-hand slaps that seem to be the way modern sportsmen celebrate a win these days. This year we will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of one of our greatest victories and the fact that it was against 'les Frogs' only adds to the deliciousness of it all. So, if you don't mind, you Yanks can just keep quiet about, er, well, you-know-where and what, and don't spoil our party!
Oh well, I suppose it's bound to come out, and indeed Harry Mount at The Coffee House has already let the cat out of the bag, although he has some excuse because it was his great-great-great-great uncle, Major-General Sir Edward Pakenham, who 200 years ago lost the battle of New Orleans. He was practicing that fine old British tradition of complete tossers leading our troops into dismal defeat, a practice which has lasted through until today! Also, the Americans cheated by appointing General Andrew 'Old Hickory' Jackson who, being of Irish-Scots stock - dread thought! - not only knew his stuff but burned with a dislike of all things English. In addition, he seemed to know how to fight a battle - typical American cheating!
The great irony, of course, is that the entire murderous, bloody encounter might have been avoided if the news that a peace treaty had been signed a couple of months earlier had reached the combatants in time. I blame the Post Office!
We could celebrate August 24th!
Posted by: backofanenvelope | Thursday, 08 January 2015 at 11:03
I assume, BOE, that you are referring to August 1561 when Willem of Orange married duchess Anna of Saxony. Or perhaps, August 410 when the Visigoths under king Alaric I begin to pillage Rome. Or, being a patriotic chap, you may wish to celebrate August 1875 and that splendid fella', Captain Matthew Webb, who became the first person to swim the English Channel.
I'm sure an officer and a gentleman such as yourself would not wish to let off a firework to celebrate British squaddies setting fire to the White House in Aug 1814 and thus upset our American allies! Mind you, old habits die hard. We used to try the same thing in Aldershot whenever we were moved overseas and thus far away from responsibility! All it took was six pints and a box of matches!
Posted by: David Duff | Thursday, 08 January 2015 at 12:56
The White House redux. An encore would be nice if you folks over there can manage. After that, I have a list for you when you are finished.
Posted by: Whitewall | Thursday, 08 January 2015 at 13:52
You supply the beer, Whitewall, and . . .
Posted by: David Duff | Thursday, 08 January 2015 at 15:00
Do you have any Canadian readers? We could have an Anglo-Canadian thingy. Where we build a half size WH out of chipboard and set fire to it. I'm sure there are some wide open spaces in Aldershot that would OK.
Posted by: Backofanevelope | Thursday, 08 January 2015 at 15:57