7 Ways to Celebrate July 4th

By Hilary Van Hoose on July 2, 2013

At its roots, we celebrate July 4 because it is recognized as the date upon which the Declaration of Independence was signed by Congress in 1776. Because of the sweeping meaning of this act, deciding upon a way in which to celebrate the day has no absolute set tradition or ceremonies. Some are more recognized than others, of course, but really America’s birthday can be celebrated in any of a number of ways. Here’s 7 of them.

1. Barbecued food and fireworks: it’s hard to say exactly when and where this tradition began. The first Nathan’s hot dog eating contest on Coney Island took place in 1916, probably before firework shows. Today, families all over the country still celebrate July 4 by eating barbecued food at beaches or other vantage points from which they can later watch a fireworks show. This is probably the most popular way to spend the holiday.

2. Visiting historical landmarks: if barbecues aren’t really your thing, you can always follow the tradition of those who attended the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence by visiting political landmarks or museums to learn about your national heritage. You could think of it like the secular version of when people go to church on holidays like Christmas.

3. Participating in the democratic process: you political science majors out there might get a kick out of using Independence Day to write a proposal or even a draft of a bill that you want your representatives to pass. You can make a party of it, no pun intended.

4.  Becoming a citizen: it may sound funny, but July 4 is a big day for citizenship ceremonies. In 2007, for example, 1000 people from 75 different countries took the oath of citizenship at Walt Disney World in Florida.

5.  Attending a military event: there are lots of military ceremonies celebrating Independence Day, and they’re usually highly rehearsed and filled with the utmost level of pomp. It can be fun if you’ve never been to one, and it’s a way to show your support for the troops.

6. Volunteering: There are countless organizations and other groups promoting patriotic causes that hold special volunteering days on the 4th. Pick an issue you’re interested in and you’re sure to find a volunteer activity to suit your proclivities.

7. Good food and a movie marathon: the long-standing tradition for me, on those holidays when I get to visit my family, is to spend the day baking holiday themed goodies with my folks while July 4th-y movies playing in the background, go and watch the fireworks, and return in time to see footage of other firework shows from surrounding towns on the late news. We don’t get television anymore, but the other parts have stayed about the same. I’ve already done red, white and blue ice cream, flag cookies (that came out a little stubby), and other things that I can’t really remember anymore. But I’ll think of something interesting this year.

My flag cookies

According to James R. Heintze’s Fourth of July Encyclopedia, the only recorded celebrations for the first few years consisted of public readings of the document, speeches and religious sermons, the wearing of tiny American flags or green boughs on men’s hats, increased rum rations for military, and the firing of gun salutes and skyrockets (fireworks). Drinking, gunshots, and other things were often done in groups of 13. Hopefully people are not still attempting to take one drink for each state, although that would explain a lot about traffic accidents and public urination incidents on the 4th.

However you choose to celebrate the holiday, have a fun, safe time – with at least some superficial connection to the beginnings of this great country. And remember, a nation is only what each generation of its people make of it. So let’s try to make it a good one!

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