Known as the 4th of July or Independence Day, this holiday commemorates the American Declaration of Independence from Great Britain that took place in 1776 during the Revolutionary War (1775-83).
The Declaration of Independence, the document proclaiming the new country’s independence from the British, was signed on July 4th 1776. It was mostly written by Thomas Jefferson and signed by founding fathers John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, among others. There are many famous passages from that original document, which is on display at the National Archives Building in Washington D.C, but none is as quoted as “…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.”
Independence Day is a national holiday and to celebrate it there are many patriotic shows all over the country, from simple small-town, main-street parades to large displays of national patriotism, as the parade held in Washington D.C.
After the parades, which are usually held in the morning, Americans will typically gather with their families for a traditional picnic or barbecue with much-appreciated hamburgers and hot dogs. Most families will also decorate their homes and gardens with American flags, red, white and blue streamers, balloons and many other creative ornaments.
Fireworks at Lincoln Memorial
Another all-time favorite 4th of July activity is the show of fireworks. Most towns throughout the country will hold official firework shows preceded or succeeded by concerts organized by the municipality. One of the most famous displays of fireworks is organized by the department store Macy’s over the East River in New York City. Another notable New York contribution to the national celebration of Independence Day since 1972 is Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn.
Fireworks have been part of the festivities since the very first Independence Day celebrations, in Philadelphia in 1777, one year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.Other traditions that started way back then are the shooting of canons (often the canon is shot 50 times, once for each state in the union) and dressing up docked boats in the colors of the flag.
The American National Anthem, also known as The Star-Spangled Banner, is sung in many of the day’s festivities, in addition to another one of America’s esteemed patriotic songs, God Bless America, written by Irvin Berlin in 1918. Unlike the National Anthem, with elaborate lyrics describing a battle, God Bless America is easy to sing along to, exalting freedom and nature, which arouse more of an emotional than a patriotic spirit.
Read the lyrics to this song American’s call the unofficial Anthem, then click on the vintage 1930-video to sing along and practice getting into a patriotic mood for the coming 4th of July.
God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her, and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home
God bless America, My home sweet home.