Monday, July 4, 2011

Independence Day (United States)

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In the United States, Independence Day, also called the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Independence Day is commonly associated with parades, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the U.S. Fireworks have been associated with the Fourth of July since 1777.

These fireworks over the Washington Monument
are typical of Fourth of July celebrations

History

Why the 4th?

Though the Fourth of July is almost iconic to Americans, some claim the date itself is somewhat arbitrary. New Englanders had been fighting Britain since April 1775. The first motion in the Continental Congress for independence was made on June 8. After hard debate, the Congress voted unanimously (12-0), but secretly, for independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain on July 2 (see Lee Resolution). The Congress reworked the text of the Declaration until a little after eleven o'clock, 4th of July, when thirteen colonies voted for adoption and released an unsigned copy to the printers. (New York abstained from both votes.) Philadelphia celebrated the Declaration with public readings and bonfires on July 8. Not until August 2 would a fair printing be signed by the members of the Congress, but even that was kept secret to protect the members from British reprisal.
John Adams, credited by Thomas Jefferson as the unofficial, tireless whip of the independence-minded, wrote his wife Abigail on July 3:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
Adams was off by two days, however. Certainly, the vote on July 2 was the decisive act. But July 4 is the date on the Declaration itself. Jefferson's stirring prose, as edited by the Congress, was first adopted by the vote of the 4th. It was also the first day Philadelphians heard the official news of independence from the Continental Congress, as opposed to rumors in the street about secret votes.


1819 celebration, Philadelphia

Observance

What is celebrated

Despite the genesis of Independence Day, it is largely uncommon for Americans to express anti-British sentiment on the day or to view it as a celebration of anti-colonialism. Indeed, most Americans today consider the United Kingdom their greatest ally. Rather than specifically as an opportunity to commemorate the end of British rule in the 18th century, contemporary Americans generally perceive the holiday as a celebration of the U.S.A. itself and the political values that motivated the United States Declaration of Independence, including explicit principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and implicit ones of democracy, liberty, freedom, and equality under the law.

Customs


Independence Day, as the only holiday celebrating the United States as a whole, is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays. Independence Day is considered a federal holiday, which usually means that all non-essential federal institutions (like the US Mail Service, court systems, etc) are closed on the 4th. Many politicians make it a point on this day to appear at a public event to praise the nation's heritage, society and people. Families often mark the Fourth with a picnic or barbecue, and often gather with family relatives, taking advantage of the longer weekend or day off from work. Parades are often held the morning of the Fourth, baseball games are sometimes held, and the evening is usually marked by public displays of fireworks.
Originally entitled Yankee Doodle, this is one of several
versions of a scene painted by A. M. Willard that came to be
known as The Spirit of '76. Often imitated (or parodied),
it is a familiar symbol of American patriotism.

Fireworks

July 4 fireworks are often accompanied by a pops orchestra playing patriotic songs such as God Bless America, America the Beautiful, My Country, Tis of Thee, Stars and Stripes Forever, The Star Spangled Banner, and the 1812 overture. Some of these songs include lyrics that recall images of the War of 1812. The 1812 overture is often accompanied by either a large bass drum or a cannon punctuating that represents the sounds of rockets and bombs.
The Star Spangled Banner, also the USA's national anthem, commemorates the United States flag that was visible by the light of the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air. This view of the flag throughout the night of bomb bursts was inspiring to the captive Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812 and it provided hope concerning the ability of the United States to competently defend Fort McHenry.
Firework shows are often held in many states, and many fireworks are sold for personal use or as an alternative to a public show. Concerns about safety have led some states to ban fireworks or limit the sizes and types allowed, but illicit traffic brings plenty of firecrackers in from less restrictive states, showing that the American people have found a way to celebrate "with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations" regardless of the prevailing political correctness against energetic chemistry.

Parades

Many US parades for July 4 involve gun salutes honoring veterans who have died for the country. Other features of July 4 parades involve Shriner mini-cars, high school marching bands, floats promoting civic organizations and politicians, and children riding decorated bicycles. Some parades in recent years have included absurd entries such as lawn chair brigade drill teams. Most US parades are led and followed by police cars and fire engines.
Frequently, parade-goers line the streets with lawn chairs and blankets. They may wave United States flags and take off their hats as a sign of respect when the flag or veterans pass by in the parade.

Picnics and barbecues

Fourth of July barbecues (sometimes abbreviated as "BBQ") and picnics are outdoor meals that are easy to prepare for the large quantities of people that often gather on July 4.
Barbecues generally involve hamburgers and hot dogs which may be garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions. Hamburgers may be topped with lettuce and/or tomatoes, and hot dogs may be topped with relish. For buns, the meat may be served on a hamburger bun or hot dog bun respectively, or sliced bread may be used as a bun substitute.
July 4 Picnics are generally held in parks while waiting for fireworks or are held at the beach. They do not involve heated meats and instead include sandwiches such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and tuna salad sandwiches. Picnics were traditionally transported in a picnic basket although they are more commonly carried in coolers.
Beverages for a picnic or barbecue generally include 2-liters of soda. Soda is chilled with ice and served in party cups. If alcoholic beverages are present, the host may provide canned beer or a keg or may ask participants to bring their own beer (referred to as "BYOB"). Traditional sides for a picnic or barbecue include potato salad, potato chips, vegetable tray, jello salad, and perhaps corn on the cob.
Guests at barbecues and picnics may sit at a picnic table or some other form of outdoor furniture. If the picnic is in a park (especially where fireworks are held), a picnic blanket may be set on the ground and participants eat the food sitting down on the blanket.

Other notable July 4 events

See also

External links

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