On July 4th, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States Independence Day, a historical parade took place in downtown Manhattan, attracting around 16 groups to participate. The Chinese contingent, organized by the Chinatown Business Improvement District, saw over a hundred Chinese individuals marching with dragon and lion dances, elderly groups, veterans, and various community organizations. The participants took to the streets to celebrate America’s Independence Day, conveying the message that “America’s 250 is Our 250” and emphasizing that “Chinese are a part of America”.
The parade kicked off at 11:45 am with a flag-raising ceremony led by the Veterans Corps of Artillery of the State of New York at the Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park. People of diverse ethnic backgrounds gathered to pay tribute to the American flag, marking the commencement of the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Organized by the Lower Manhattan Historical Association, the parade started from the historic landmark Castle Clinton, passing through places like Broadway, Wall Street, the Federal Hall National Memorial, and Pearl Street, before concluding at the Fraunces Tavern, which boasts over 250 years of history. With approximately 16 participating groups this year, the organizers aimed to revive the tradition of early American community parades, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in a multi-ethnic manner.
James S. Kaplan, the President of the Lower Manhattan Historical Association, highlighted the significance of Castle Clinton as a pivotal point in American immigration history. From 1855 to 1892, approximately 8 million immigrants entered the United States through this site, symbolizing freedom, hope, and new beginnings for countless immigrant families. Kaplan expressed the importance of restoring the traditional Independence Day parade to bring back a meaningful historical and cultural celebration to New York, beyond just family gatherings or entertainment events.
William S. Chen, the Executive Director of the Chinatown Business Improvement District, mentioned that the Chinese community has been participating in the Independence Day parade for 11 consecutive years, with this year’s being the largest yet, including the first-ever dragon dance team. Planning for this year’s event began last year, with many community members foregoing traditional gatherings to participate, with even a 94-year-old leading a group personally.
“It’s a historic moment. If we, as Chinese, don’t stand up today, we won’t be seen in future historical photos,” Chen remarked. Emphasizing that American Independence Day is a shared birthday for all Americans, he stressed the importance of Chinese Americans actively participating in the country’s most important holiday, rather than waiting for recognition from others. Through showcasing Chinese cultural elements like dragon and lion dances, Chen aimed to exhibit Chinese culture to mainstream society, highlighting that Chinese people have also been a part of America’s 250-year history. “Today, we represent not just Chinatown or the Chinese, but all Asians standing here, telling everyone that we are a part of America,” he stated.
Ruby Ng, Director of the Center for Positive Change at CPC, mentioned that despite the sweltering weather, many elderly individuals enthusiastically participated in the parade, showcasing the spirit of the Chinese community in supporting America and integrating into society. She stated, “Today is not only a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States but also an important moment to show the unity of the Chinese and various ethnic groups to the outside world.” Ng believed that America is a free country composed of diverse ethnicities, and Chinese people should enhance community visibility and social status through active participation in public activities.
Eddie Ng, Vice President of the Tongji Community Mutual Aid Society, expressed that since Chinese people live in America, they should celebrate Independence Day with all ethnic groups, stating, “We are also a part of American society and have been contributing to this country, so we should come out and participate.” He explained that with this year marking the 250th anniversary, special performances such as dragon and lion dances were arranged to combine Chinese traditional culture with the American national celebration, showcasing the Chinese pursuit of peaceful coexistence and active integration into society to the world.
Mark Lee, Executive Director of the New York Chinese American Veterans Association, pointed out that Chinese American veterans have been participating in Independence Day celebrations for many years. Seeing more Chinese community organizations joining this year was gratifying. “Chinese people have made contributions to this country and deserve to be seen and recognized by more people,” he remarked. He noted that the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is a rare historical moment, hoping that more Chinese communities will step forward in the future to collectively demonstrate the patriotic spirit and civic responsibility of the Chinese.
The event also attracted many out-of-state and overseas tourists. Aaliya Bokhari from Chicago and her family drove specifically to participate in the activities. She remarked, “It’s very touching to see different cultures and ethnicities coming together to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary.” She brought her children to watch the parade, hoping they would fully understand the historical significance of the American Independence Day, as well as the values of freedom, democracy, and the nation, cherishing the life that past generations sacrificed for today.
Mr. Pan from Beijing and Mr. Qiu from Hong Kong coincidentally witnessed the parade during their visit to New York. They expressed that New York is a city full of diverse cultures, and witnessing different ethnicities celebrating Independence Day together made the experience very special. Apart from enjoying the parade, they also watched the harbor ships and air shows, considering the grand scale of the 250th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the United States a memorable part of their trip.
Throughout the parade route, the Chinese teams attracted onlookers and tourists along the way. Dragon and lion dances weaved through the streets of downtown Manhattan, with vibrant colors and lively rhythms capturing the attention of the crowd, as many spectators took photos, videos, and cheered enthusiastically, adding rich Chinese cultural flavors to the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
For many participants, this was not just a celebration of Independence Day but a significant moment representing the Chinese community’s largest-scale involvement in the 250th anniversary of the founding of America, showcasing ethnic identity, cultural confidence, and a collective voice for active integration into mainstream American society.