The main holiday of the United States is Independence Day, celebrated on July 4. It was on this day that the Declaration of Independence of the North American Colonies was signed, and the country became officially independent from Great Britain. In 2012, Americans celebrated the 236th anniversary of this event.
US Independence Day is a nationwide holiday celebrated from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to the far reaches of Alaska. The celebration is also joined by neighboring Canada, as well as Guatemala, the Philippines, and European countries. Each city strives to celebrate July 4 as interesting as possible, to make the holiday unforgettable.
On July 4, 2012, in almost every city in the United States, festivities, parades, concerts and performances were held. Many Americans have a picnic in the bosom of nature or celebrate a holiday at home with their families. Patriots hung the US state flag on the windows.
It is worth noting that the weather has made its own adjustments to the celebration: bonfires and holiday fireworks have been banned in many areas of Colorado due to hot weather and devastating fires that have been going on since May. In addition, several other shows have been canceled in the Midwestern and northeastern states of the country, as well as 40-degree heat waves and summer hurricanes.
The main celebration was traditionally held in Washington. At noon, the Independence Day parade was held, and in the evening a festive concert was organized in the city center, which brought together hundreds of thousands of spectators - residents and guests of the city. This concert was broadcast live throughout the country on television and the Internet. President Barack Obama hosted a veterans 'reception at the White House with the Presidential Marines' Band, barbecues and games. From the balcony of the White House, the President delivered a solemn speech full of patriotism.
Many tourists are attracted every year by the demonstration of the original of the Declaration, which is kept in the Washington National Archives in a bulletproof glass container. The Declaration is also displayed on other days, but it is on July 4 that actors dressed in 18th century costumes (camisoles and hats) perform in front of visitors, conducting a short performance and loudly reading the text of the Declaration.
Traditionally, the 4th of July holiday (as many Americans call it) ended with fireworks that lit up almost every city. Also, the evening sky was decorated with fireworks over the battlefields of the Civil War and the War of 1812.
