07.04.09 -- Independence Day

Saturday,
July 4, 2009, Independence Day
Puzzle by Peter A. Collins and Joe Krozel, edited by Will Shortz
INDEPENDENCE DAY (7D.
Highest-grossing film of 1996), THE UNITED STATES (20A. Fastest ocean liner ever in a transatlantic crossing [3 days, 12 hours, 12 minutes]), STARS AND STRIPES (34A. Private reading?) and RED WHITE AND BLUE (54A. Patriotic display) are the interrelated entries of this Fourth of July crossword puzzle. God bless America!
After that wonderful burst of puzzledom patriotics, we’re down to business as usual with ROD STEIGER (58A.
Oscar-winning portrayer of Police Chief Bill Gillespie, 1967) in a ROCK GARDEN (17A. Landscaper’s project) as the next longest entries, followed by eight of eight letters -- AIREDALE (36D. Dog originally bred to hunt otters); 12D. Double ENTENDRE; SACK RACE (34D. It may make people jump to a conclusion), that's a great clue, LOL!; TOASTERS (13D. Maid of honor and best man, e.g.); TRAVELED (35D. Broke a court rule); WAITED UP (11D. Didn’t retire, maybe).
Six-letter entries -- CALGON (46D. Bath beads maker); ELOHIM (2D. Old Testament God);
NORTON (6D. 1973 Ali jaw-breaker); GNARLS (18D. Twists); KVETCH (49A. Bellyache); RECEDE (3D. Peter out); RESIDE (38D. Live); SARTRE (1D. He wrote “Life has no meaning the moment you lose the illusion of being eternal”); SHASTA (44D. California county); STEREO (48D. Disc holder); TALENT (24A. Showbiz bookings); TRUEST (47D. Like best friends).
Five -- ANNAL (10D. Record for the record books); ANTES (52D. They’re placed in the center of a table); EMEER (25A. Big man in Oman); ELATE (60A. Send); EMAIL (5D. Send, in a way);
ENIAC (5A. 1946’s “Giant Brain”); MONGO (15A. Planet ruled by Ming the Merciless in “Flash Gordon”); NEW AT (27A. Inexperienced with); SECTS (45A. Branches); 63A. SLY AS a fox; SPANS (43A. Bank structures?); TWILL (50D. Gabardine, e.g.).
Short stuff -- AGED, ALAI,
ALEA, ALOP, ALS, ARIS, ART, A WET, BAKU, BIDE, CAR, CELL, CHAI, DDE, DOSE, EARS, EDEL, ENTO, NAN and NANO, NITA, NRA, PILE, PRE, PURR, RID, SCH, SEL, SERB, TAT, TOLL, WAS.
Happy Fourth of July!
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The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
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Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
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Remaining clues -- Across: 1. Landlocked European; 10. “Séance on ___ Afternoon” (1964 suspense thriller); 14. Greek goddess Athena ___; 16. Second start?; 19. 1920s leading lady ___ Naldi; 22. Free; 23. Catawampus; 29. Old White House monogram; 30. Baseball’s Dark and Downing; 32. Asian flatbread; 33. Copy cats?; 39. Greek war god, to Greeks; 40. Season opener?; 41. French seasoning; 42. Word with part of port; 51. Non-coffee order at Starbucks; 53. Busts in a museum, e.g.; 57. Trans ___ (Kyrgyz/Tajik border range); 59. Block division; 61. Spoonful, say; 62. Henry James biographer Leon; 64. Prefix with -zoic. Down: 4. Azerbaijan’s capital; 8. Like some ports; 21. Parlor pic; 26. Hearing things; 28. Performed the role of; 33. It may be down; 37. PAC for those who pack?; 43. Prep, e.g.: Abbr.; 55. Single stroke; 56. Remain.

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