Top 3 U.S. Olympic Moments

This post brought to you courtesy of the 3 handfuls of peanut m&ms I ate at approximately 9 p.m. last evening. #Tweakinglikeakidonhalloween

In celebration of this glorious time of year -- the country's coming 236th birthday, the watching of the Olympic Trials and the countdown to the opening ceremony of the London Olympics -- I felt it was appropriate to revisit some of the most memorable and evocative Olympic moments for us as Americans.

First on my short list is not only practically guaranteed the first on yours too, but also my favorite sports moment of all time. Kerri Strug's gold-medal-earning ankle-spraining vault at the 1996 summer games in Atlanta is everything you want in a sports moment: an eleventh hour, world-is-watching personal performance that leads to team victory. 

Let's relive it, shall we? 

Follow the 2012 women's Olympic gymnastics team members on Twitter:

Gabby Douglas

Jordyn Wieber

Kyla Ross

McKayla Maroney

Aly Raisman

No matter how many times I watch that video (5 times so far this evening), it still gets me. Plus, you have to appreciate Mrs. Strug and the Magnificent Seven showing off the best of 90s fashion trends: owl glasses and visor-like bangs. Here's my mom sporting both like a true 90s babe.

Next, let's travel over to the 2008 men's swim team. I know, I know, no one likes a men's swim team, but do it for your country, okay?

The men's 4x100 freestyle relay in Beijing lasted a bit over 3 minutes, but the final 25 yards seemed to stretch out as American, Jason Lezak attempted and succeeded in passing the French by a fingertip's distance to win the gold. I still can't believe he touched the wall first. 

Please excuse the cheesy intro and the annoying music at the end of this video of the grippingly close race.

Finally, though I wasn't born when this one took place, as a BU alum, I feel indirectly connected to the 1980 "miracle on ice" that happened at Lake Placid, where four Terriers helped comprise the US Olympic hockey team that year. For those that don't know the story or haven't seen the movie, first of all, please do watch the movie, but second, the story is one of underdogs (the US) beating the top dogs (USSR, at the time), but the rivalry it features is all the more potent because of the decades-old Cold War between the two super powers. 

The game wasn't played for a medal; though the US did go on to earn gold that year. And everyone loves a good celebration video, so check out the final minute of the game, where the US leads 4-3. 

Now that you're feeling nice and patriotic, head on over to my dear friend's blog for a festive Fourth of July recipe that's colorful, decadent and pyrotechnic. 

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!