Independence Day is held in the U.S. on July 4th, and it’s a time to celebrate the country’s declaration of independence from British rule. Thomas Jefferson declared the thirteen American colonies a new nation, the United States of America. The holiday is celebrated with various festivities across the country, including fireworks, parades, and concerts. Of course, you can also celebrate by having a picnic in your own backyard.
Play games
John Adams famously wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail, saying that the country should celebrate from one end of the continent to another after the vote in favor of independence. He suggested the celebrations should include parades, games, sports, etc. A fun game to play could be a patriotic trivia game with questions about history and national figures. Another game that could be fun for kids is a scavenger hunt with clues relating to national symbols.
Playing online games like the Red Dead games allows you to enter a time in the wild past of the country. Many games bring back what it must have been like in the Wild West. Today, you can play many different types of online games with a patriotic theme. Online casinos offer a selection of patriotic slot games you can play. These games often feature symbols like the Bald Eagle and the red, white, and blue colors of the flag.
Host a Patriotic Potluck Picnic
Your own backyard or a local park will work as a venue. Unsent messages won’t get a response, so make sure everyone receives an invitation and ask guests to RSVP. Use red, white, and blue decorations like steamers, flags, balloons, and tablecloths.
Encourage your guests to bring picnic foods that celebrate the patriotic theme. They could bring pasta salads featuring reds and whites. Fruit salads could have red, blue, and white berries. Suggest that guests bring patriotic platters or charcuterie boards with cheeses and meats cut into stars and stripes.
Rice Krispies treats are a favorite for kids, and you can celebrate the theme with some M&Ms on top. Red and blue star ice cubes are a way to make a large bowl of homemade lemonade look festive.
Go to a fireworks display
Many towns and cities have public fireworks displays on Independence Day. In US history, fireworks were part of the first official commemoration in 1777. Spectacular firework displays had already become a popular way to celebrate nationhood by the time of the American Revolution.
Fireworks light up many locations on July 4. Boston, Massachusetts, is renowned for its part in history with the Boston Tea Party and is famous for having one of the largest fireworks displays. The display is part of its Harborfest and takes place at the Esplanade. Both sides of the Charles River are lined with people trying to find the best view of the display.
Attend the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks over the Hudson River in New York. This display seems to get bigger every year. The Hollywood Bowl also has an amazing display of fireworks.
Attend a parade or concert
You are likely to find a parade somewhere in your locality. Your kids will enjoy seeing the floats and marching bands. Some of the bigger cities have huge parades. Washington, DC, has a popular parade down Constitution Avenue, and there’s a large annual parade at Huntington Beach, California.
In Philadelphia, you can celebrate for more than two weeks at a festival that celebrates Independence Day. This gives you the opportunity to see parades and concerts. You can even get free entry to museums.
In Washington, DC, an evening concert occurs on the West Lawn. It features the National Symphony Orchestra and other artists. As the music fills the air, you can see some awe-inspiring fireworks over the National Mall.
Nashville will host a massive free concert downtown featuring the top country music stars. It also features a fireworks display.
Visit Mount Rushmore
If you visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota on Independence Day, you can shake hands with the president. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt are the four presidents shown on the sculpture, and re-enactors will be there to play them.
The fictitious presidents will hold a press conference in the Carvers’ Marketplace on July 3, where guests can ask questions. They will sign autographs and interact with guests. Guests can experience the customary sculpture lighting from the amphitheater in the park on July 3 and 4 at 9 pm.
