If there was one thing you could say about America, it was that he knew how to throw a party. He was always waiting for a chance to throw one, and when he did he put 110% into them. There were multiple memorable party's he had thrown in the past, like the New Year party in 1999, (there had been so much alcohol that some of the nations got mild alcohol poisoning), the Christmas party's he threw in the 1920's, (they were some of the most beautifully decorated party's), and that one Halloween party when England summoned real ghosts, (one of the only parties that America ever left early), but nothing ever beat his birthday parties.
America absolutely loved the fourth of July. No matter how bad people were bickering or fighting in his country, they would all put it aside for one day and proudly cheer about being Americans. It was the day his people felt the most patriotic, and it really showed. He practically glowed with health on his birthday, and he was always in the best mood no matter what.
This year, he had held a picnic party in Central park. For the food, he had served Hot dogs, Burgers, (the homemade kind, not fast food), potato chips, all kinds of sandwiches, potato salad, corn on the cob, Lemonade, Sweet tea, Coca cola, beer of all flavors, Apple pies, Cherry pies, Blueberry pies, pulled pork, Watermelons, Barbecue Ribs, Vegetable Kabobs, Grilled Chicken, Grilled shrimp, and a number of different salads. And for dessert he had served Red, White, and Blue cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and ice-cream.
Around 8:30 pm, the party drove over to the United Nations Headquarters to watch the fireworks show. America had set up a viewing party on the roof of the building so that they could watch them. America himself was super excited, bouncing up and down and watching the sky eagerly.
"Why are you bouncing so much?" Russia asked in amusement, walking over to where America was standing. "You look like a bunny hopping like that."
"I can't help it!" America said gleefully, his eyes sparkling with happiness. "Today's my favorite day of the year! Even more than Christmas!"
"Really?" Russia asked in amusement.
"Yeah dude, cause it's my birthday!" America said with a big smile. "Today is all about me!"
"You sound like a little child." Russia said, patting America on the head.
"You're just a grumpy old man." America shot back.
"If it wasn't your birthday, I would have hit you with my pipe for that." Russia said cheerfully, giving America a small smile.
"Aw, you're so nice." America said with a smirk.
"I try." Russia said with a shrug, looking up at the sky as well. "What time does the show start?"
"It's going to start around nine thirty." America said, checking his watch. "It's about 9:15, so the show should be starting soon."
"I'm looking forwards to it." Russia said. They fell silent, watching the sky. After a minute, America started to hum his national anthem. Russia glanced over at the shorter man, and was amused to see that America was pretending to direct a band.
"You are never boring." Russia commented.
"That's because I'm amazing." America said, winking at Russia.
Russia didn't respond, just studying America. Feeling uncomfortable from Russia's staring, America frowned.
"What, do I have something on my face?" America asked.
"Nyet, you do not. I am just curious about your behavior." Russia said. "You are always so, what is the word, patriotic. It's interesting."
"Huh? Why is that weird?" America asked, looking confused.
Russia leaned against the edge of the roof with a sigh. "To be honest with you, it's rather creepy how much your citizens love this country. It's almost like brainwashing to me. They go on and on about how amazing you are, how you are the best, yet have nothing to back up the claims. It's rather dangerous thinking, to love your country so blindly. Just ask Germany. Sometimes I think that you don't know the difference between patriotism and nationalism."
"Ok, one, that was uncalled for." America said with a pout. "Two, why don't other countries love themselves more? And three, I know the difference."
"Do you really?" Russia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Patriotism is love for one's country. To love it, support it, and to be loyal to it. Nationalism is an extreme form of patriotism, where you feel your country is superior over other countries." America explained.
"So, which do you think you are?" Russia asked.
"Patriotic of course." America said, rolling his eyes. "Sure, my citizens might say America is number one, but they have no problem complaining like hell about it as well. My citizens aren't stupid, they know that they aren't the best in the world. There are still a ton of problems in my country that need to be solved."
"But whenever I hear one of your citizens talk about your country they have nothing but praise." Russia pointed out.
"Well, that's because you're not American." America said with a smirk. "It's like this. Americans can insult the country as much as they want, but as soon as someone who isn't American insults us then the Americans get angry."
"That doesn't seem fair." Russia said with a frown.
"Well, how would you feel if I went into your country and started saying how fat your people are, or how stupid they are because they don't know where a county on the map is, or how loud and obnoxious they are? How would you feel if I thought all of your citizens were stupid just because of unfair stereotypes, or how you had no culture, or how unfriendly you are, or how you have a thousand guns on you at all times, or how everyone thinks all you eat is sugar and fat?" America asked calmly, looking straight into Russia's eyes. "Do you start to get the picture?"
"I see." Russia said with a nod.
"It's not only American tourists that are rude you know. There have been many days when my day was ruined due to a rude tourist. You can only take being called a 'Stupid fat American' so many times before you want to punch someone." America sighed and looked up at the sky again. "I love my citizens. They're kind of weird sometimes, but they are amazing in so many different ways. They care so much for this country, even if they do get blinded by their love sometimes. And honestly, I wouldn't want it any other way. It's amazing when you think about it. So many different people with so many different cultures and beliefs coming together and living in a single country. I'm not saying they're perfect, far from it actually. But they're just so determined, ready to take risks and chances, to push for change, and make their dreams come true. They're inspiring."
Russia laughed and shook his head. "Always with the optimistic outlook. One day it will come to haunt you."
"Maybe." America agreed making Russia look at him in surprise. "Maybe one day it will. But I hope that won't be for a while. I haven't colonized mars yet, and it would be a shame if I died before then." America said with a smirk.
"I swear, you have two setting. Happy go lucky man child or depressing old man." Russia snorted.
"Hey, if I'm old then you must be ancient." America said with a huff.
"Does that make China a fossil?" Russia pondered. America let out a snort of laughter.
"Hey, you never answered my question." America said after he stopped laughing. "Why aren't other countries as patriotic as me?"
"Depends who you ask." Russia said thoughtfully. America looked at him in interest
"In some cases, it is seen as a dangerous thing." Russia explained. "When countries love themselves too much, sometimes they try and force their way of living or beliefs on their neighbors. I'm sure your familiar with this due to World War Two."
"Very much so." America said with a sad look.
"In Germany's case, they are more in the mindset that if you love your country too much, it will lead to bad decisions and obsession. In England's case, it is that his citizens see no real reason to wave their flag around and sing their national anthem at the top of their lungs. This is probably because they are comfortable with their love for their country, and see no need to prove it. In other countries, people who are outspoken about their love for their country are often grouped with a certain kind of people. In other cases, it divides people into good citizens and bad citizens. Those who aren't patriotic are seen as bad citizens. This causes a divide."
"I've never really thought about that." America admitted. "In my country it's just so normal to be patriotic."
"But why are you so patriotic?" Russia asked. "You didn't really answer the question before."
America thought for a few minutes. Just as he was about to answer, the fireworks started. Looking up, he was delighted to see a stream of colors explode in front of him. He could hear people singing in the streets, and the city in the background seemed to be standing proudly in front of him. And most of all, he could feel the pride from all over the country. And for a moment, he felt like he could do anything.
"I think it's because we don't know what we're doing half the time." America said with a laugh. "And every time we do something right we brag about it."
"I don't think that's an honest answer." Russia said. Without looking away from the fireworks, he continued, "You are a very young nation compared to many others. I believe you when you say you don't know what you're doing sometimes. That comes with being so young. However, I think you're not admitting to something."
America didn't reply right away. He looked a little unsure, then he sighed. "Jeez, when did birthdays become so deep. I just wanted to watch things explode and eat some cake." America leaned against the roof ledge as well. He could hear the other nations oohing and aweing behind him. It was rather amusing. "Look, if I'm being honest, I think it's because of a few reasons. First, as far as wars go, I usually come out on top. Not all the time, but when it matters. This probably makes me a wee bit cocky. Second, I don't have a ton of history. I don't have any of the deep rich history like the other countries that are literally thousands of years old. It can be a bit embarrassing. Third, I'm young. Being young means being loud and proud. Fourth, I'm a superpower. I want to brag."
"Hmm, sounds like you have an ego." Russia said with a smirk.
"Don't get too smug, I know your deep dark secret." America threatened.
"Oh, and what would that be?" Russia asked, looking down at America in amusement.
"You're just an old man who plays games on his phone." America said, sticking his tongue out at Russia. "And you like to have old man talks."
"How did I lose to you?" Russia asked in disbelief. "You're an idiot."
"An American Idiot who likes to see things explode!" America said cheerfully, and with that, he bounced away towards the cake chanting, "USA! USA!" As he left, America couldn't help but think to himself, 'And the final reason my citizens are so patriotic is because they can be.'
A/N: USA! USA! AMERICA, FUCK YEAH! HAPPY 4th OF JULY EVERYONE! So, the original idea for this chapter was to just go into full patriotic mode, with explosions and beer and 'MERICA!, but then I started to wonder why we were so patriotic, and why other nations weren't as patriotic. So, this happened… Welp, at least you hopefully learned something new. Whether you think the reasons America gave are right or wrong are up to you.
Now, brief history lesson for those outside the USA. The United States of America was originally a colony of England. After the French and Indian War, England decided that the Colonies would help to pay for the war, and started to tax the colonists. To put it simply, the English put taxes on EVERYTHING. The Townshends Act was a tax on paint, glass, and tea. The Stamp Act was a tax on all printed matierals. The colonies were pissed off by this, because of "Taxation without Representation." To put it simply, they wanted to have colonists in Parliament so that they could have a say on how they were taxed and what laws should be passed. Parliament said, "Hell no."
The colonists in retaliation started to boycott, (To withdraw from commercial or social relations with a country, organization, or personas as a punishment or protest), the goods with the taxes on them. This led to the British being finically hurt, and so they repealed the taxes. All of them, except tea. The colonists thought this was a move on the British side to prove they still had power over them, (when in reality it was meant to save the British East India Company from going bankrupt), and this was called the Tea Tax. To make things short, Britain had a monopoly on tea, and the colonists were pissed off about it, and being financially hurt by it as well. In 1773, the Boston Tea party happened, (Where there was a massive destruction of tea to the despair of tea lovers everywhere), and this pretty much led to the beginning of the revolution.
In order to punish the colonies for destroying the most sacred drink in Britain, the British Parliament passed a series of laws known as the Coercive Acts. (1774). These laws closed ports in Boston until the citizens paid for the destroyed tea, expanded the power of the king's governors, made it harder to convict royal officials of crimes, and took land away from the colonies. Fed up with the Britain's shit, the colonies formed the First Continental Congress to deal with the problems. Sixteen months later, the American Revolution started.
Then America kicked ass.