July 7, 1898 ~ The U.S. Annexes Hawaii

The strangest holiday I ever witnessed in my life occurs every March in Hawaii. It's called Brig Thaddeus Day. It commemorates the arrival of the sailing vessel carrying seven Congregationalist missionary families who would ultimately rise to own most of the islands. It was their influence that drove the US to annex the islands. And still descendants of native islanders turn out to celebrate this dubious event. Well, I guess everyone loves a party regardless of the circumstances...

Pretty smart move.