How people in the UK are celebrating America’s 250th anniversary of independence.

Liquor is one thing that helped fuel revolutionary America 250 years ago. People who attend UK events say they’re excited to learn the extent of the cultural crossover – not only because the US’s birthday is a milestone that resonates globally, but also because it teaches them about their own part of the world.

Back in London, participants of the Mark Grant tour say that their immersion into American history has also had the effect of showing them a side of their city that they may not have known.

“He took me to a few roads I’d never been to,” said local Peter Tidmarsh. “I’m just amazed.”

It’s not for nothing that Grant has been a contestant on the BBC’s Mastermind game show 13 times. Blue statues, historic pubs, and the site of a brick-and-mortar church that was moved to Missouri—all of these sites are visible on the tour.

For Grant, the Square Mile is its own character in American history, and provides a window into how a young US viewed a turning point in history. “The cities[in the UK and the US]would be the same, and that’s the basis of it all,” he speculated.

An Australian by birth, Grant admittedly remained neutral on the question of which side was responsible for the famous 18th-century schism. The Brits on the tour insist they are not taking sides – they are here to learn something.

“Well, there are regrets,” joked Tim Parry from Essex. But I think we did.

“I think 250 years is long enough,” Tidmarsh said.