An American\'s July 4th

Everywhere in the world, July 4th is just like any other day, but in the United States the 4th of July signifies our nation’s Independence Day, which honors America’s freedom from Great Britain, which occurred when the Declaration of Independence was adopted on this day in 1776. Today, July 4th is associated with many common American traditions such as parades, barbecues and fireworks, which are reserved not only for our Independence Day.
America is known for its various parades and fancy traditional meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas, for its patriotism on Memorial and Veteran’s Day, and for its fireworks for special events on college campuses and such. But July 4th is special because it brings together neighborhoods, communities and cities in a nationwide holiday that (this year) celebrates our 231-year independence and makes one proud to be living in this country, regardless of the current political, economic and social issues that plague the nation.
Hundreds, even thousands, of people gather on grassy hilltops, open fields and line the streets for a chance to glimpse the phenomenal fireworks. Of course, some places are better than others, and rain will inevitably delay or cancel the colorful event, but when it is a beautiful, warm starry night, nothing seems as important at that moment than looking up at the sky in awe while ooh’ing and ahh’ing at the big blasts of red, white and blue. As you look around, the night doesn’t seem so dark because there are colorful neon bands and gizmos that people wave in the air. As you look around, it seems as though a million lighting bugs are buzzing around you.
Maybe most importantly, the 4th of July is a family event. On July 4th, students are on summer vacation or home from college and parents take advantage of this day to spend time with their kids, even if it’s just for that half-hour of standing side by side, eating ice cream cones, and watching the magical lights shoot into the sky and explode into fantastic colors. But perhaps it is the small children who are most amused and impressed by the display. As with everything else, it is their innocence that shines through when they ask those simple, yet very important, questions. “But where do the fireworks come from? How do they reach so far into the sky? Why are they so loud? How do they make them different colors?” And so, with the questions out of the way, the children are left with their imaginations. “That one looks like a spoon. That’s a flower, and those look like little fishes.”
Everyone plans their day around the fireworks – it is not something to be missed. But the events leading up to the grand finale at the end of the day are just as fun. Barbecued chicken, corn on the cob and baked potatoes on the grill, pasta and potato salad, beer, iced-tea and lemonade, watermelon and pineapple, and cakes made out of red and blue jello with white whipped cream. Firetrucks and antique cars, girls in cheerleader uniforms and boys from local baseball teams, participate in the parades. On July 4th, American flags add a little more than decoration to the houses and if it’s warm and sunny, it’s nothing less than a perfect summer day.
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