The U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Robert Blake, said American workers celebrated the Fourth of July a month early – on June 4, actually – in order to show respect for the mostly Muslim nation and the month of Ramadan.
The Jakarta Post reported the development, saying Blake and U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN Nina Hachigian oversaw the June 4 celebrations, which included a brass band performance of the Star-Spangled Banner and the Indonesia Raya, the Indonesian national anthem.
Blake also said embassy officials tried to incorporate a go-green environmental message in order to promote America’s sustainable development message in an overseas setting....