Yesterday was the 234th anniversary of the collective breakaway of thirteen British colonies from King George III's empire. On New York's Coney Island they know how to celebrate. With the help of that responsible sporting powerhouse Major League Eating.

Showing the world that Binge Eating Is OK, the self-styled Worldwide Leader in Sports, ESPN, televised the annual Independence Day hot-dog eating championship, won for the fourth time by one Joey Chestnut, with 54 dogs scoffed in ten minutes.

But the real fun, it seems, came when Japanese eating champion Takeru Kobayashi crashed the event and was arrested by police, having refused to sign a MLE contract to take part.

Associated Press takes up the story. For the time being, here (after an ad) is an ESPNews report with highlights of the telecast. America, you are so beautiful.