Updated: March 30, 2022 – Happy 4th of July!
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
The Celebration
On July 4th, the United States of America will celebrate its Independence Day. This is the perfect occasion to celebrate the country in all its glory.
Take a look below to learn everything you need to know about the Fourth of July. The holiday and the celebration.
The History
All the way back in the year 1776 on July 4th, the United States was formed. Back then, there were not 50 states, but thirteen colonies that claimed their independence from Great Britain. One of the country’s founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, drafted the Declaration of Independence and the rest is history. The country grew and grew to where it is today and Jefferson would be America’s third President!
The Meaning
The historic meaning behind this amazing holiday is one of freedom and independence. It is a special time for Americans to recognize how fortunate they are to live in ‘the land of the free’; as it is sung in the Star Spangled Banner, the United States’ national anthem.
Red, white, and blue
While the day itself is incredibly casual, there’s an important dress code almost everyone goes by. You’re practically need to wear red, white, and blue! And while these friendly colors blend well with each other, they’re also our national colors and represent important values. The red is for hardiness and valor. The white represents purity and innocence, and the blue is for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
How To Celebrate
The Fourth of July is quite an exciting and spirited time in the United States! This is because one of the biggest ways to celebrate is by watching a colorful firework display at your local park or stadium. These beautiful fireworks light up the sky with colors of red, white and blue. It helps make the Fourth of July celebrations memorable for the entire family.
Before the firework display, however, the real fun begins! Many families will take a stroll to the beach or head to the park for a mid-day barbeque. Others might enter a watermelon-eating contest; or visiting a local Fourth of July parade, full of live music, cyclists and fun!
Despite all these, in 2020 and 2021 would be different compared to the previous years as we are still battling with the pandemic. It will definitely take some time to tackle this problem. Outdoor celebration has kept to its minimum.
Parades and block parties
The Happy 4th of July is a perfect time to socialize, and that’s encouraged through parades, town festivals, and block parties. All these takings place in just about every city in the US. The party is even bigger in a city like Washington D.C. but the 4th of July in Philadelphia is a must-see! However, this time around, we could only see through recorded YouTube videos. Given it’s where the Declaration was signed, the city lives up to its expectations and throws an amazing party. Every year, Philly hosts an event called Party on the Parkway. This entire section of the city is blocked off to offer performances, games, food trucks, and activities for a whole family.
Outdoor concerts and performing arts
Concerts are a great way to spend the day. Most cities host concerts or performances in the park. In New York, there’s a summer series called Central Park SummerStage that offers free concerts. There are also plenty of amazing outdoor films and theater performances happening throughout the city. It’s the perfect space to lie down a blanket, lounge around during the movie or performance, and then stick around to watch fireworks. In 2021, all these have been at the minimum level of activities.
Friends and loved ones
Another important holiday tradition is spending time with people you care about. Whether you live near family or friends, this is a great day to spend time with someone. In some parts of the country, families will use this as a time to rent a summer house by the ocean and enjoy a vacation together. Others will get together with roommates and friends and explore events around the city. However you decide to spend the day, it’s best for someone by your side. Wearing mask and social distancing are still in practice throughout this Covid-19 pandemic.
Fireworks
No Independence Day is complete without a great fireworks display. Whether in a smaller town or a big metro area, just about every county hosts a fireworks show. One of the favorite celebrations on the west coast used to be AmeriFest at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena or Hollywood Bowl’s “Fireworks Spectacular”. On the east coast, there’s a tremendous show in Philadelphia above the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. But the largest in the country is the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks display in New York. Fireworks are launched from boats on the East River and are best enjoyed from a rooftop around Manhattan. Hopefully, all these will be back to normal when the pandemic is over soon.
What to Eat
We mentioned many families celebrate with a big barbecue, and it is a feast you will surely remember! Some typical dishes you might find at a Fourth of July barbecue are hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill; with a side of corn on the cob and Coleslaw!
For dessert, this is a great opportunity to flex your creative muscles and cook up something fun and festive! Many will bake fruit cakes in the shape of the American flag. While another fun idea is to enjoy red, white and blue popsicles that are fun to look at and even better to taste!
No matter how you celebrate today, the Happy 4th of July is all about spending time with family, friends and loved ones. When staying home during this unprecedented time, I think this is the best moment to make use of the time to celebrate as a family. It’s important to celebrate the country’s Independence Day and recognize the significance of the American culture and its history.
Takeaway Point
Whether you say July 4th or 4th of July, to celebrate; we have hundreds of ways to show off your red, white, and blue spirit, including star-spangled decorations, flag displays, and show-stopping berry desserts.
Enjoy the celebration! Happy 4th of July!
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