Independence Day has been a day of celebration since 1776. Americans around the world come together to commemorate this momentous day in history --- the day we adopted the Declaration of Independence and proclaimed freedom from Great Britain. If that isn’t enough proof enough that the Fourth of July rocks, here are 10 reasons why Independence Day is the most epic American holiday of all time.
1 | It's Ageless
One of the best parts of Independence Day is that there is something for all ages to enjoy. Celebrating our nation’s freedom never goes out of style, so there’s no age limit on the good times to be had. Invite the kids and invite the grandparents, all are welcome on this timeless holiday!
2 | It's the Perfect Time to Be Around Loved Ones
Spending the day around your favorite people and celebrating the best country on earth? Count us in! Friends and family are the best people to spend this holiday with, which means the goofiness and good times will be plentiful.
3 | The Food
Photo courtesy of Laurie Dieffembacq/AFP/Getty Images.
Americans love to eat, especially classic American food like hot dogs and apple pie. Combine that with the celebrations of the Fourth and you have the most festive and delicious treats of the whole year. Plus, everything tastes better when it’s in the shape of the American flag and covered in red, white and blue.
4 | The Weather
Sure, it’s hot. But something about celebrating makes the summer heat less miserable and more…perfect. It wouldn’t be Fourth of July without kids splashing in the swimming pool and everyone guzzling down beverages like their life depended on it. So, show off those classic American flag shorts in the 90-degree heat! The scorching sun and tan lines leave stripes on your body like a human representation of the stripes on the American flag. What more could you ask for?!
5 | One word: FIREWORKS
Believe it or not, fireworks have been a Fourth of July tradition since the very first Fourth of July in 1776. In a letter from John Adams to his wife Abigail Adams, our country's second president declared that Independence Day should be celebrated with “pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”
You heard him, folks. One of our very own Founding Fathers essentially ordered us to make this a day of epic celebration. Will do, Mr. Adams!
6 | People Go All Out
If you see someone driving down the highway, sticking an American flag out the window with their face covered in red, white and blue face paint, chances are it’s July 4th. Americans hold nothing back on this holiday, letting their patriotic weirdness shine bright. (Side note: We do not recommend driving down the highway with a flag sticking out of the window. We do, however, encourage extreme patriotism.)
7 | Red, White and Blue EVERYTHING
On people’s clothes, on people’s faces, in people’s yards, our nation’s colors are splashed across the entire country for one day straight, and IT IS AWESOME. Nothing instills American pride more than being surrounded by a sea of red, white and blue all day. You might even wake up the next morning forgetting other colors even exist.
8 | The Tunes
Martina McBride sings it best when she belts out the iconic lyric, “Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay, it's Independence Day.” Yes, it is, girl. And we will sing your beautiful tune all day until our voices give out.
9 | You Get the Day Off
What better way to celebrate freedom than being free from stresses and responsibilities for a day? This Fourth of July, run wild, be free and celebrate American independence. Thanks for the Declaration and the day off, Founding Fathers!
10 | Freedom
The Fourth of July equals an entire day devoted to celebrate the birth of our great nation, the day which our Founders officially declared our freedom. Nothing compels Americans to throw a massive party quite like that. We are free and live in the greatest country ever, a beacon of light and hope to the world. Now that's something to celebrate.