The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day or July 4th is a federal holiday in the United States marked by parades, fireworks (notably red, white & boom), and family get-togethers. It started in 1941, but its history dates back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.
On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress, which was the governing body by which the American colonial governments coordinated their resistance to British rule during the first two years of the American Revolution, voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, via a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, and a holiday with accompanying festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
July 4 Fireworks (Red White and Boom): Where To Watch, Time.
Fireworks displays are probably the most iconic of all Fourth of July merrymaking. The first fireworks celebration to make the US independence came on July 4, 1777, described on July 5 in the Pennsylvania Evening Post as a demonstration of “joy and festivities.
Ships designed with the colors of the United States approached the city and fired 13 cannon shots, one for each then-colony-turned-state. Then in the evening, 13 fireworks were set off in the city commons in Philadelphia and Boston. The evening fireworks were described as the “grand exhibition of fireworks.
In downtown Columbus, Ohio, a red, white, and boom spectacle will be displayed at 10 pm, after the parades for the day which will start at 11. am. The fireworks display will last for 25 minutes. The scene, accompanied by loud booms, according to organizer Earl Burkewill, is a sight to behold.
“Every shell can do something different. One shell here doesn’t actually show as one shell in the sky. It could be 15-20 projectiles inside here to create a design and you want it to match the soundtrack… there will be things that you see that we’ve mixed and matched, we’re trying to fill the whole sky”.
“Obviously everybody loves a finale, which, because it’s Red White & BOOM!, it will be very loud,” he said
He advised viewers to come early to get a good viewing spot.
Independence Day Parade
Most US states would perform a sought of independence day parade somewhere on the streets. The tradition of parades also dates back to the revolution era and is one of the festivities to mark the holiday.
John Adams, the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801, in a letter to his daughter, Abigail Adams, on July 2, 1776, described what is known today as independence day, saying; “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more”.
