The 4th of July is a special day for every American. AlthoughAmerican independencedeclared on July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress approvedthe final wording of the Declaration of Independence officially on the 4th. In 1870, Congress declared the 4th of July was to be a national holiday. Since then, Americans have been celebrating the day with parties, parades, fireworks, and barbecues. Here are some of the fun activities that have become synonymous with the 4th of July:
1. Patriotic Apparel
From American hats and flags to other grunt clothing, people across the country love to show off the colors of the American flag. You can even take it a notch up with exclusive clothing from Tactical Pro or dress up as national heroes like Abraham Lincoln, one of the Founding Fathers, or the Statue of Liberty. Of course, you don’t have to limit your love for the country to a single day.Patriotic apparel such as American flag tee shirts and hats can be worn at anytime of the year.
2. Barbecues and Cookouts
An afternoon spent with family and friends besides the barbecue grilling hamburgers, hot dogs, or corn is a common way to celebrate Independence Day. Yards games are popular at cookouts as well. It’s also a great time to make some great desserts with flag cakes and cupcakes being undoubtedly popular options.
3. Parades
4th of July celebrations are incomplete without parades.It’s a time-honored tradition involving a lot of pomp and pageantry. You can either participate in or enjoy watching a parade with friends and family members. There’s plenty of fun to keep you interested with floats, marching bands, and political celebrities joining in for the celebrations. If you’re looking to explore the parade scene outside your town, don’t miss out on the Bristol parade in Rhode Island. It is the oldest 4th of July parade in the country and was voted one among the best by Conde Nast. In Bristol, celebrations begin as early as June 14th (Flag Day). Alameda, California, has the longest parade route in the country. The route spans around three miles and attracts more than 20,000 visitors every year.
4. Fireworks
Fireworks are a big deal on the 4thof July. John Adams envisioned fireworks, bonfires, and guns as a part of his Independence Day celebrations, and cities around the countries have celebratory fireworks displays each year. Some of the best firework displays are in Minneapolis, Addison, Boston, and New York.
