Thursday, 22 March 2012

July fourth - Celebrate Independence Day

By Alva Zambo


As the traditional 4th of July Holiday would be to celebrate the anniversary from the declaration of the United States' independence from England, it really is interesting to note that is not when Independence Day celebrations first commenced. Even more interesting to note is the fact that even though the United States celebrates it's independence from England on that day; the holiday itself is largely according to English traditions.

You may not understand that during the sixteenth century there have been many political and regions debates raging and a lot of discontent existed in the British Isles. During this time, the British people started using both official and unofficial anniversary dates to create their own political statements and show their alliances. They did this buy having parades and feasting which ultimately were to show other people who their alliances were with.

Once the colonizers left the British Empire, this tradition carried across the ocean. When discontent began to spread, these events were utilized as a means of protest which allowed the colonizers to show their political affiliations and messages based on their parades and dinners. It absolutely was all simply for show. Whenever there is a large parade, feast or other event happening, people often showed up simply to see what was going on. In this day, the large groups of people were seen as supporting whatever political opinion had been promoted - whether they truly did or otherwise not.

When the Declaration of Independence was printed, a staged celebration was developed and the day was to function as celebration of independence from England, though no-one ever did anything official during the day to become a holiday. Because the crowds were so large, it was assumed that the colonizers were interested in separating from the English and also the movement proceeded. There were many original festivals to celebrate the Independence Day in the early years; however, the date who's came to be celebrated is July 4th.

Even though the celebrations of the sixteenth century were essentially a political movement, today's Independence Day celebrations provide the actual freedom the US gained from England. The celebrations have cultivated and evolved over the years, however in the last two hundred plus years, the celebration may be about our own independence since the United States of America.

Modern day 4th of July festivities now include: parades, feasts, festivals, as well as other large gatherings of people. Often patriotic songs are played and people take a nice relaxing day off and away to enjoy simply living here in the United States. Many festivals and feasts are head around parks. This allows the children to run free and play, while the adults enjoy a meal of largely BBQ as well as other picnic foods. Today some of the most popular foods for the Independence day holiday are BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs, corn on the cob, and various macaroni and potato salads.

In addition to the celebrations was the addition of fireworks. While fireworks are largely a Chinese tradition, they are used on the 4th of July by millions of Americans to help celebrate the day. Most towns and cities across the United states of america allow citizens to purchase at least safe and sane fireworks for July 4th celebrations.

As you have seen, while the 4th of July is now celebrated like a national holiday, it once was staged as a sort-of political act. However, that political thinking caught on and the United States did get its freedom from England - although our parades and festivals are mostly in the English style.




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