Celebrating Independence and Memories

We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls. – Robert J. McCracken

Fireworks begin over the Susquehanna River, Havre de Grace, Maryland.

Photos were taken with a FUJIFILM FinePix S4200, July 2013, Havre de Grace, Maryland.

2026 Update: This post is especially meaningful to me, as it marks the last 4th of July I spent with my son, Joshua. Today, as I reflect on Independence Day and our family traditions, I carry his memory with me.

On July 4th—also known as Independence Day—we celebrate our country, the United States of America. This holiday marks the day in 1776 when Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, officially separating the thirteen original colonies from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War.

Interesting Facts

• Nine of the thirteen North American colonies voted for separation from Great Britain, declaring their independence on July 1, 1776. Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted no, Delaware was undecided, and New York abstained from the vote.

• In 2021, Independence Day was nationally observed on Monday, July 5.

• July 4th is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States.

We celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, and family reunions. Today (2021), my family and I will celebrate at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles, Illinois. Last year, during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), there were no community park celebrations. Instead, we spent the evening walking around our neighborhood in search of fireworks and ended the night with a peaceful drive through St. Charles.

Shared here are photos from one of our most memorable 4th of July celebrations in 2013, in Maryland.

Ferris wheel at the carnival in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

Fireworks over the Susquehanna River in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

Childhood Memory

When I was a little girl living at 1408 Palisade Avenue in Union City, I could see the Hudson River, the Empire State Building, and the Twin Towers from my bedroom window. On the 4th of July, I had some of the best views of the New York City fireworks—memories that have stayed with me ever since.

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