Annual Fourth of July USS Constitution cruiseU.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacklyn Ditzel ringing the ship's bell aboard the USS Constitution on July 4, 2019, during the 18th-century warship's annual Fourth of July cruise around Boston Harbor.(more)In the 21st century both cities continue to host annual Fourth of July celebrations that also focus on their ties to the history of the , including performances by military bands and events held at important sites. In Boston the USS —a that was launched in the city in 1797—is sailed around Boston Harbor and fires a 21-gun salute. In , , where the Virginia Convention had passed resolutions on May 15, 1776, urging the Continental Congress to declare American independence from Britain, the celebrations include a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, marching bands, and sing-alongs of patriotic songs. In , the U.S. capital, the holiday is marked with free concerts and a fireworks display over the . Fourth of July traditions Famous Patriotic American Songs“” (; U.S. )“”“” ()“You’re a Grand Old Flag” ()“God Bless America” ()“” ()“God Bless the U.S.A.” (Lee Greenwood)“Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” () Parades and fireworks are typically the most popular ways that Americans commemorate Independence Day. , California, is believed to have the longest Independence Day route in the country, at 3.3 miles (5.3 km) long. Many communities also host and concerts featuring local entertainment or military bands performing patriotic tunes. The is ubiquitous on the Fourth of July, as many Americans like to display their by flying the flag outside their home and dressing in red, white, and blue. Parks, parade vehicles, and even pets are often festooned in patriotic decorations. Fourth of July family cookoutHot dogs and corn on the cob are among the favorite foods that Americans enjoy on Independence Day.(more)Popular foods to eat on the Fourth of July are barbecue, , fried chicken, on the cob, , and as well as local favorites, such as clam in Boston and chili in . Eating contests, especially involving hot dogs or , are a time-honored tradition in some towns. Other activities, depending on the region, include corn roasts, picnics, beach parties, and . Because of the crowds that Independence Day festivities attract, some communities use the opportunity to attempt to break world records. In Carmel, , for example, more than 14,000 attendees at the 2023 Independence Day parade broke the record for most people wearing red plastic fire helmets. Some record-breaking attempts do not go according to plan, however. In Washington, D.C., in 2024 an initiative to form the world’s largest human ice-cream cone, featuring hundreds of people dressed in red, white, and blue ponchos, failed because the organizers were not able to confirm the number of participants in the group photograph. One of the organizers told a local news organization, “There was not a very clear image of the ice-cream cone up to the caliber that we would require to consider this a broken record. But it was still a valiant attempt.” Fireworks The chemistry behind fireworks explainedLearn how chemical compounds, such as copper oxide, strontium chloride, and sodium silicate, determine the colors of fireworks.(more)See all videos for this articleFireworks have been a part of Fourth of July festivities since the first organized celebrations, in 1777. Modern fireworks often feature red, white, and blue colors, but those of the earliest celebrations were orange. It was not until the early 19th century that more colors became widely available, with the addition of metals such as and . In the 21st century, Americans spend an estimated $1 billion per year on Fourth of July fireworks. Some have passed laws limiting the kinds of explosives available for purchase and use, and some have banned fireworks completely, especially in areas prone to . However, most communities host a pyrotechnics show for the holiday. Such events are regulated by a state’s fire marshal, whose bureau requires that the fireworks be shot off a safe distance from celebrants., Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States which commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America., From spirited musical parades and captivating historical reenactments to dazzling fireworks lighting up the night sky, the 4th of July in Delaware is a celebration like no other. This Independence Day, make 2025 unforgettable with a visit to “The First State”—where American history comes to life and patriotic pride takes center stage..