Many Americans have honored the nation’s birth in numerous ways and festivities. Here are some photos showing how Americans have celebrated over the years.
An engraving of a picnic on the Fourth of July, “A day to be remembered.” (Photo: Saml. Hollyer & J. Rogers/ The Library of Congress)
The Brazilian gunboat Tiradentes fires a salute to honor the Fourth of July in 1893. (Photo: The Library of Congress)
Chariot race at Fourth of July celebration, dated between 1900-1930. (Photo: The Library of Congress)
Greek Americans march in a celebratory parade in N.Y., dated between 1910-1915. (Photo: The Library of Congress)
Patriotic marches in a Fourth of July parade in 1911, New York. (Photo: The Library of Congress)
A local parade down Front Street to celebrate Independence Day, 1916. (Photo: The Library of Congress)
Some locals gather for a picnic in Vienna, Virginia, July Fourth, 1921. (Photo: The Library of Congress)
Young boys march in a Fourth of July celebration at Takoma Park, 1922. (Photo: The Library of Congress)
Fireworks over the Washington Monument, in Washington, D.C., 1939. (Photo: Harris & Ewing/ The Library of Congress)
Fourth of July celebration at St. Helena Island, South Carolina, 1939. (Photo: Marion Post Wolcott/The Library of Congress)
A soapbox auto race is part of the festivities July Fourth, 1940. (Photo: Jack Delano/ The Library of Congress)
Clown at July Fourth celebration in Salisbury, Maryland, 1940. (Photo: Jack Delano/ The Library of Congress)
Beauty contest during July Fourth celebration at Salisbury, Maryland, 1940. (Photo: Jack Delano/ The Library of Congress)
A crowd watches the Fourth of July parade in El Paso, Texas, 1998. (Photo: Jack Kurtz UPI Photo Service/Newscom)
A U.S. marine carries food from a barbecue celebrating July Fourth while on tour in Yugoslavia, 1999. (Photo: Laszlo Balogh/ Reuters/Newscom)
Local veterans stand in formation after firing rifles in salute during the presentation of the colors. (Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call/Newscom)
Capt. Brandon Price of the Virginia National Guard and his daughter Chloe, 5, prepare to march in Leesburg’s Independence Day parade, 2014. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/ Newscom)
Fireworks over the nation’s Capitol to celebrate the holiday in 2008. (Photo: Carol Highsmith/ The Library of Congress)
A little girl in Charleston, South Carolina, celebrates Independence Day in style on her patriotic bike. (Photo: Richard Ellis/Zuma Press/Newscom)
