The actual document was signed on July 4, 1776 by Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, and a host of men who would later go on to become some of the most powerful and highest ranking officials in the United States government.

Tradition has it that the fireworks we enjoy today on the Fourth of July actually had their start as gunshots back in 1776. As the colonies cheered and shouted, banged pots and pans and made all sorts of joyful noise in celebration, there was also a salute by gunfire. After people realized this might not be the safest way to ring in the holiday, gunfire became less prevalent. Noisemakers and confetti replaced the frightening gun shots.

Fireworks have been around for over 2000 years. The Chinese are credited with inventing them. Legend has it that a Chinese chef accidentally mixed together some ingredients with sulfur and the result was a colorful explosion we now know as fireworks.

Fireworks are illegal in some counties in various states around the U.S. Due to the harmful nature of fireworks if they fall into the wrong hands unsupervised; various state governments have passed legislation banning the sale of fireworks within their borders. Other states have more relaxed rules.

Those wishing to see Fourth of July fireworks need only go out to their own town’s festivals. Most communities in the U.S. host their own supervised community blast off. Parks departments and other organizations have an organized event where the public is welcome to bring their blankets and lawn chairs and watch the display.

Young and old love the colorful explosions and patterns that erupt during a fireworks display. Many communities compete for the best display with other cities and states around the country. Some even spend thousands of dollars toward putting on the best show around.

If you find yourself in Disney World or Disneyland, you can end your day every day like it’s the Fourth of July. Disney puts on a fireworks display every night of the year for park-goers. It’s only fitting that this magical place would have a magical sendoff to sleep for its visitors young and old.

Sparklers and other non-threatening fireworks are still available in many stores in most states of the country. And with supervision, fireworks are a great way to end a day that has been filled with food, fun, sunshine, and laughter.

Check out the various offerings in the cities near you this Fourth of July. If you’re on vacation, as so many are on this popular summer getaway date, be sure to look for displays in the town you’re visiting. There’s sure to be a rockin’ good time to be had watching the colors explode under the stars, enjoy some Fourth of July cookies and have a great holiday. It’s a fun time for everyone in the family.

Related Links:

• 4th of July Craft Ideas For Kids
• Fourth Of July Dessert Recipes
• 4th of July Party Food Ideas

Macy’s has always been in the business of showmanship. From their world-renowned Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, they’ve made a name for themselves as not only a department store, but a destination for fun.

The fireworks, of course, can’t be held at the Macy’s flagship store in Manhattan for safety and space reasons. But they are sponsored by the department store. At a little after 9:00 pm every Fourth of July, the celebration kicks off. The Hudson River is the glorious backdrop for the multi-colored party.

There are six barges that will be the sites of the displays along the Hudson River. Each year Macy’s has a theme to their display. For 2011, it is American Harmony. Its focus is a trip through American music, its history, and highlights.

What could be more patriotic than listening to American music played by the New York Pops Orchestra and accompanied by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? The fireworks will be enhanced by such distinguished performances. These aren’t the only acts that will perform either. For 2011, the acts will include the U.S. Army Soldier’s Chorus, United We Sing, Broadway Inspirational Voices, and Straight No Chaser.

It’s not just a whole bunch of singing with no organization. New Yorkers expect more. The fireworks will be carefully synchronized with the voices and they will also be broadcast over the radio live. You don’t have to come down to the piers as the fireworks will be visible all over Manhattan and will light up the night sky. Can’t come to New York? You can still watch the show on NBC TV live, make yourself some Independence Day cookies, kick back and enjoy the show!

Those who are in NY can also take part in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating contest. It starts on Coney Island at 12 noon each Fourth of July. The contest can be entered by anyone and was originally started as a way to settle an argument back in the day between two immigrants as to who could eat the most Nathan’s hotdogs. Enter or come out and view the belly-busting celebration! Consider it New York's fourth of July gift to you!

Along with the fireworks and contest, New York also offers visitors a chance to enjoy a cruise around the harbor. Many cruise lines will take passengers around the Hudson River and include drinks and dinner on the Fourth of July. It’s a great way to see the fireworks from right on the river. Bring the whole family for a night they won’t soon forget. New York visitors’ bureaus offer all the information you need to book your night cruise. You can also find the information on the internet by searching “Fourth of July river cruise New York” or other like terms.

New York is one festive place to be any time of year. But on the Fourth of July, it is an even more colorful celebration of life and another excuse to visit the world-renowned city. No one ever leaves New York disappointed. Especially not on the Fourth of July after seeing the spectacular Hudson River fireworks display.

Stuck going to a BBQ somewhere other than New York City? Try this article for some yummy Fourth Of July Dessert Recipes.

Creating a special menu is one way to create a lasting Fourth of July tradition. Maybe you plan a clam bake by the shore or in your backyard every year, or make Independence day cookies. Or maybe you just bring out dishes that come to be known as the family favorites. Here is a recipe you can make your own. Add it to the Fourth of July festivities this year and every year and you’ve got yourself a new tradition. Search online for other July 4^th recipes.

Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Potato Hobo Packs

From epicurious.com

• 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 (2 1/2-lb) center-cut beef tenderloin roast, trimmed and tied
• 1 1/2 lb fingerling or baby Yukon Gold potatoes (about 16), halved lengthwise
• 1/2 lb pearl onions (about 16), blanched in boiling water 1 minute, drained, and peeled
• 12 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh sage
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh chives

Special equipment: 12-inch-wide heavy-duty aluminum foil; a 22 1/2-inch kettle grill with a hinged top rack (if using charcoal); a large chimney starter (if using charcoal); long metal tongs; a 17- by 12 1/2- by 3 1/2-inch disposable aluminum roasting pan (if using charcoal); an instant-read thermometer

Coarsely crack peppercorns (see cooks' note, below). Stir together pepper and salt in a small bowl, then add oil and stir until combined well. Rub spice mixture all over beef.

Tear off 8 (2-foot-long) sheets of heavy-duty foil and arrange in 2 stacks of 4. Divide potatoes, onions, garlic, and sage between stacks, arranging in 1 layer in center of foil, then drizzle each with 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Working with top sheet of foil, fold each side over potato mixture to enclose, then turn package a quarter turn and repeat folding and turning package with each piece of remaining foil. Make second hobo pack in same manner.

To cook beef and hobo packs using a charcoal grill:

Open vents on bottom of grill. Light charcoal (80 to 100 briquettes) in chimney starter. Leaving about one quarter of grill free of charcoal, bank lit charcoal across rest of grill so that coals are about three times higher on opposite side.

Charcoal fire is medium-hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack over area where coals are piled highest for 3 to 4 seconds. Using long metal tongs, lift up one hinged side of rack and put hobo packs, folded sides down, on portion of bottom rack with no coals on it. (One side of packages will be in direct contact with coals.) Cook hobo packs, turning a quarter turn with tongs every 15 minutes, 45 minutes total.

While hobo packs are cooking, sear beef on lightly oiled grill rack directly over hottest part of coals, uncovered, turning occasionally and, if necessary, moving around grill to avoid flare-ups, until well browned, 12 to 15 minutes total. Move beef to coolest part of grill, then cover with inverted roasting pan and grill, turning occasionally, until thermometer inserted diagonally into center registers 120°F for medium-rare, about 10 minutes. Transfer beef to a cutting board and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 15 minutes.

To cook beef and hobo packs using a gas grill:

Preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes. Reduce heat to moderately low on 2 burners if your grill has 3 (or 1 burner if your grill has 2) and cook hobo packs, folded sides down, on grill rack, covered with lid, over moderately low burner(s) 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, sear beef on lightly oiled grill rack over remaining burner on high, covered with lid, turning over occasionally, until well browned, 12 to 15 minutes total. Reduce heat to moderate and cook beef, covered with lid, turning over occasionally, until thermometer inserted diagonally into center registers 120°F for medium-rare, about 10 minutes. Transfer beef to a cutting board and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 15 minutes.

Serve beef and hobo packs:

Thinly slice beef, then remove potato mixture from packages and serve with sour cream, bacon, and chives.

Related Articles:

• Fourth Of July Dessert Recipes
• Fourth of July Fun Facts
• A Celebration of Independence - July 4th

This is a great craft for children of any age.  The smaller children will needs help with the cutting, but everyone will love painting the flowers.

What You Need:

• basket coffee filters

• chenille stems (red, white, blue, gold and/or silver)

• red and blue watercolor paint

• paintbrush

• scissors

• 2 pieces of paper towel
  

Directions:

• Cover table with newspaper
• Place one coffee filter onto a paper plate and flatten it out. Paint the coffee filter with water color paint. Paint some solid red, some solid blue and others a combination of blue and red, leaving some areas unpainted. Move the coffee filter to the towel and lay flat to dry. Repeat with the second coffee filter.
• Leaving the center of the filter in tact, cut the coffee filter in strips, working you way around the circle.
• Cut a 1.5" piece off of one end of a chenille stem and set aside. Take the longer piece of chenille and poke it through the center of the coffee filter. There should be about 2" of chenille poked through.
  
• Turn the entire thing upside down and grasp the filter with your fingers. Gather it around the chenille and secure it by wrapping the extra piece of chenille stem that you cut off in an earlier step. Twist it around the part you are holding and turn the flower back upright. Manipulate with your finger until strips are spread out and it looks the way you want it to.
  

Don't have time to make your own Independence Day centerpieces?  Check out our Fourth of July gift baskets that can do double-duty as the centerpiece and as the grand prize for your Independence Day games and events!

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Memorial Day was first observed on May 30th 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead.

At Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets we offer a variety of patriotic and Indepence Day gifts to thank our Military men and women.  Choose from red, white  and blue cookie bouquets, snack baskets and more!

• The first American Flag was sewn by Betsy Ross in its traditional red, white and blue colors.
• In 1846 the Liberty Bell could not be rung anymore because of the famous crack.
•  The American Bald Eagle has been a national symbol of the USA since 1782.
•  Geographically, the United States is the world's third largest country after Russia and Canada.
• The 13 stripes on the US flag represent the original colonies - the 50 stars represent the 50 states.
• The National Anthem of the United States is The Star-Spangled Banner
• Calvin Coolidge was the only president to be born on the Fourth Of July
• John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe all died on the Fourth of July,
• The parades, music and fireworks so closely linked with the America's Fourth of July observances are actually common ways to celebrate independence. During the month of July, America, Canada, France and the Bahamas all observe their independence holidays with lively parades and music.

Many people hang flags in honor of this celebration, but did you know that the United States Flag Code stipulates that as the symbol of a living country, the flag is considered in itself a living thing and should be properly displayed and cared for. The code outlines the proper ways to display the American flag.  There are actually more than thirty rules and regulations as to where, how and when the flag should be displayed.  Here are just a few:

• Raise the flag briskly. Lower it ceremoniously.
• Never allow the flag to touch the ground or floor.
• Do not fly the flag in bad weather, unless it is an all-weather flag.
• The flag should always be allowed to fall free.
• The flag should never be used to carry, store, or deliver anything.
• Never fly the flag upside down except to signal an emergency.
• The flag can only be flown at night if properly illuminated. Otherwise, it should only be flown from sunrise to sunset.

John Adams wrote that the Fourth of July "...ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..." And that's what we do each year on the Fourth of July.

Fourth of July is synonymous with barbecue and this year Americans will consume around 150 million hot dogs on this holiday.  If you laid all those hot dogs end to end, they'd stretch all the way from Los Angeles California to Washington DC. Now that's s lot of hot dogs!  It is estimated that more than 68 million Americans will take part in a barbecue sometime this year.

Americans love their 4th of July fireworks displays and waving the American flag.  Every year the US imports nearly $200 million worth of fireworks with over 90 percent coming from China.  Likewise, the US imports $5.5 million worth of American flags again with over 90 percent coming from China.  However when it comes to flags, the US makes most of them right here in the good 'ole USA. American manufacturers shipped nearly $350 million of flags, banners and flag emblems last year.

Our US patriotism abounds in the names of our cities. Did you know that 30 cities have the word "Liberty" in them and 11 cities have the word "Independence" as part of their name?

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Be sure to check out our 4th of July gifts to celebrate this year's Independence Day!