4th of July Arkansas

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress as an official way to declare the United States’ independence from Great Britain. Every year in the United States, we still celebrate that independence with parades, festivals, barbecues, fireworks and picnics. Since the fourth of July is a federal holiday a lot of people are off work that day and celebrations start in the early morning and go until late at night when the fireworks begin.

Generally regarded as America’s birthday, July 4, has been a federally recognized holiday since 1870 and federal workers started receiving holiday pay in 1941 for Independence Day.

Independence Day is celebrated in every city and town in the United States in much the same way. Whether at home with the family or on the west lawn of the Capitol building among thousands of other Americans, we celebrate our independence from Britain and we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy today because of all the brave souls who came before us who risked their lives and the many who paid with their lives in order that we may enjoy enduring freedom. Children and their parents alike look forward to the excitement that accompanies the fourth of July and its festivities.

Although the Fourth of July is one of the most entertaining holidays we celebrate, it is also the most sober with the music and the fireworks reminding us why we are celebrating.

The colors of the day are red, white and blue from T-shirts to shorts and sandals, hats and umbrellas. Although most Americans respect the guidelines set forth in regards to the flag not being worn as an item of clothing, Americans do like to dress in the patriotic colors on America’s birthday. Further, a favorite pastime is to watch the red, white, and blue fireworks bursting in the late night sky on the Fourth of July.

Most cities across America have a day-long celebration with a parade, food booths, bands, games and contests. The celebration usually ends with a street dance and fireworks display put on by the city. Many families, after the fourth of July parades, have family gatherings, picnics, barbeques and parties. On the fourth of July there is much fun to be had by everyone.

A Capitol Fourth is the annual celebration in Washington DC celebrating our nation’s birthday. The concert is the most watched PBS special showcasing the singing, dancing and dramatic readings with more than a half of a million people from all over the country in attendance. With the Star Spangled Banner playing and the flags blowing in the breeze, teary eyed Americans feast their eyes of the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol building.

July 4, 1976 marked the nation’s bicentennial and churches and people all across the United States rang bells at exactly 2 PM, which was the time of the approval of the Declaration of Independence.

July 4, 2002 marked the most security conscious ever Fourth of July in the history of the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Some parades carried items from the rubble of the World Trade Center and Shanksville, PA had its first ever Fourth of July parade.

You can celebrate the Fourth of July at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate in Virginia if you choose. There they have an annual celebration and reenactments of famous Washington moments in history. George Washington’s contributions to America’s independence are celebrated annually at the Mount Vernon estate.

George Washington might well have been one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence if he had not been busy on the battlefield.

Although thousands upon thousands of people visit famous sites to celebrate the Fourth of July, there are many more thousands quietly or maybe not so quietly celebrating at home in Arkansas with their loved ones. Almost every small town has some kind of festival and the larger cities have incredible celebratory events as well. Family after family cooks outside on the grill on the Fourth of July while inside flag cakes and star cookies bake. Some families watch broadcasts on television, just so they can see the fourth of July fireworks.

The first Fourth of July parade took place on the Potomac River with president John Quincy Adams leading a boat procession up the river. Since then, the Fourth of July parade in Washington DC has gone through some changes but is still one of the most exciting parades in the country even though it takes place on dry land.

Over 300,000 spectators are expected to be present for America’s 2006 Independence parade on Constitution Avenue. There will be representatives from all over the United States taking part in the parade. There will be at least 18 marching bands, 15 floats and many other units.

In Boston a small parade visits the Granary burial grounds where some New England members of the Revolution were buried as a tribute to those who fought for our freedom. In the evening, more than 300,000 people gather to hear the sound of the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Parades have long been a celebration in the United States. Whenever there is a parade, the streets are lined with people long before the parade commences. Often, the people in the parade throw candy to the crowd especially to the children. Small children are often hoisted up on the shoulders of their parents so that they may see better.

Fourth of July parades often include a float with people dressed up to look like the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Often, there are contests for best float in the annual parades. People work for weeks to make theirs the best. The very elaborate parades are televised and last for an hour or more.

Sometimes, the names or pictures of those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom are carried in a parade. Essentially, the fourth of July parades are a way to celebrate America’s independence, and it is also a way to reveal the patriotic nature of America’s inhabitants.

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