On the occasion of the 248th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the United States, the stars and stripes flag can be seen waving across every corner of the country. On Thursday, July 4th, from Washington DC to New York City, from Florida to Oklahoma, Americans nationwide carried on the tradition of celebrating Independence Day through parades, barbecue parties, fireworks displays, and hot dog eating contests.
President Biden delivered a speech at a barbecue event for active-duty military families held on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington DC on July 4th.
The Independence Day parade in Washington DC was one of the grandest parades in the country, drawing crowds from near and far to participate in the festivities.
In Brooklyn’s Coney Island, the annual Nathan’s hot dog eating contest took place, with a group of hot dog enthusiasts in costume cheering loudly as the competition kicked off.
With 16-time champion Joey Chestnut not participating in this year’s contest, the men’s title was ultimately clinched by Chicago’s Patrick Bertoletti, who consumed 58 hot dogs in under 10 minutes.
In the women’s competition, Miki Sudo devoured 51 hot dogs within the same time frame, breaking her own record and securing her 10th consecutive championship.
On the morning of the 4th, along the white sandy beaches of Brevard County in central Florida, a group of ocean rescue lifeguards raised the American flag, marking the start of the annual tradition of running along the beach at Cape Canaveral.
In Southport, North Carolina, people lined the streets to watch the annual Fourth of July parade, where women sat in the back seats of Pontiac convertibles and a man dressed as Uncle Sam waved to the crowds. Southport’s first recorded Independence Day celebration dates back to 1795.
During the Edmond Liberty Fest parade in Edmond, Oklahoma, a group of Boy Scouts marched alongside their leaders under a giant American flag, commemorating Independence Day.