September 2 for the Vietnamese is their equivalent of our July 4.  On that day in 1945 Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s “George Washington,” stood up in Ba Dinh square in Hanoi and declared Vietnam independent from 80 years of French rule. In his speech he quoted the U.S. declaration to make his case: “All men are created equal; they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights; among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” It didn’t go over so well with the French, who said Vietnam could not possibly be independent. This started a nine year long struggle for independence from the French, which lasted till 1954, at which time the French left Vietnam and the Americans decided it was their turn…  Today the Vietnamese celebrate the event with fireworks and with a ton of families out on motorbikes enjoying the festive occasion.