The United States celebrates its independence: the most important events of July 4

Americans celebrated their country’s 245th birthday on Sunday with eagerly awaited fireworks and marching bands after the coronavirus pandemic forced almost all celebrations to be canceled last year.

Like always, fireworks are the highlight of the 4th of july party. Two of the largest fireworks in the country will explode over the National Mall in Washington and along a 1.5 km stretch of the East River in New York City, which separates Manhattan from the neighborhoods of Queens and Brooklyn.

Some classic July 4 events, such as the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Tasting Contest at Coney Island in Brooklyn, have been scaled back to allow for social distancing in recognition of the continuing threat of COVID-19, which has killed more than 600 000 Americans. The more aggressive Delta variant raised alarms about the possibility of a new wave among the unvaccinated.

Yet this holiday was an opportunity for Americans to show their patriotism and celebrate a new sense of freedom in a personal sense, to reunite with friends and to enjoy the simple joys of summer.

United States President Joe Biden will mark the country’s 245th birthday today with a traditional celebration. After spending the weekend in Michigan and Delaware, the president returned to the White House to receive around 1,000 people to enjoy burgers and fireworks.

The celebrations seek to become a dose of normalcy for a country tired of the restrictions and hardships of the coronavirus pandemic, burdens that have been lightened – but not gone – thanks to the successful vaccination campaign.

The pandemic forced almost all celebrations last year to be canceled and led to a moderate investiture in January for the Democratic president, who had to forgo traditional gala dinners and bipartisan politeness as the former president Republican Donald Trump was contesting his electoral defeat.

Signs of normalcy have returned to the United States, where people have traveled and gathered without masks although Biden is somewhat below his goal of 70% of American adults receiving at least one vaccine by Sunday. The government estimated the figure at around 67%, as some people resisted the injections.

“Sunday we will celebrate our independence as a nation, as well as our progress against the virus,” Biden told a group of teachers on Friday. “In the next few days we have a chance to start over.”

At the White House on Saturday, smoke from ground beef patties rose from the charcoal grills as workers prepared dishes for Sunday’s event.

In a dramatic change from recent months, the doors of the White House will be opened to hundreds of guests, marking the biggest event of Biden’s presidency.

The White House lawn party is expected to include essential workers who have helped the COVID response and military families. Biden will comment and there will be a 17 minute fireworks display on both sides of the Lincoln Memorial Reflective Pool.

The president’s house has been largely hidden from public view in recent months, with COVID protocols reducing access to tours and additional fences installed after the Jan.6 attack on the United States Capitol.

The event was also reduced from previous years, a nod to the COVID-19 coronavirus that has killed more than 600,000 Americans. The more aggressive Delta variant sounded the alarm on the possibility of another increase among the unvaccinated

THE EVENTS

“A fourth Capitol”

From Washington, 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time, there will be a PBS Network special, which can be seen on the PBS website, YouTube, or Facebook.

The event, a special concert, will be presented by actress and singer Vanessa Williams and will be pre-recorded (although the fireworks will be live), with musical acts such as Jimmy Buffett, Cynthia Erivo, Gladys Knight, Auli ‘i Cravalho, Christopher Jackson, Mickey Guyton, Jimmie Allen, Jennifer Nettles, Train and the a capella group Pentatonix, as well as Broadway stars Laura Osnes and Ali Stroker.

As tradition dictates, Jack Everly will conduct the National Symphony Orchestra. Soprano star Renée Fleming will launch the show with the national anthem, followed by three astronauts waving from the International Space Station.

“Macy’s Spectacular July 4th Fireworks”

They will be given from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time (a one-hour reminder will be issued immediately after). The event will take place in New York City and will air on NBC or NBC.com/live with a cable connection. It will feature presenters Renée Elise Goldsberry, a Broadway actress and Tony Award winner for portraying Angelica Schuyler in the play Hamilton and actor Ryan Eggold, known for starring in the New Amsterdam series.

It will also feature performances from Blake Shelton, Black Pumas, Coldplay, Reba McEntire and OneRepublic are set to take the stage, and the Jonas Brothers will perform a mix of their hits alongside special guest Marshmello.

For the first time in history, the United States team en route to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will be honored.

“The fourth CNN special in the United States”

The network will feature fireworks displays across the country, from Washington to New York, Nashville and San Francisco, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. local time. The show will be broadcast live on CNN.com, as well as CNN’s apps for mobile devices and TVs.

The event will be led by four reporters, Dana Bash and Don Lemon, who will anchor coverage of the east, south and midwest coast, and Ana Cabrera and Victor Blackwell taking the west coast.

Les Beach Boys and John Stamos, Kool and the Gang, Nelly, Black Eyed Peas, Chicago, Flo Rida, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, Blues Traveler, Trisha Yearwood, Bebe Rexha, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sammy Hagar and the Circle, Susanna Hoffs and Tasha Cobbs Leonard is one of those who will do the show.

To conclude, an ensemble of choirs and symphonies from across the country will offer ensemble performances, including the Harlem Gospel Choir, the US Army Field Band, the Austin Symphony Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

(with information from Reuters and Washington Post)

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