July Fourth (also known as Independence Day) is a very special day each year in the United States. It is the day we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence signed on July 4, 1776 declaring the thirteen American Colonies a new nation. July Fourth is the birthday of the United States of America!
July Fourth is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, and barbeques. In other words, Independence Day is a fun filled day to spend with family and friends and be thankful for all of the things we enjoy as Americans. You’ll see American flags, streamers, balloons, and other red, white, and blue décor proudly displayed all over the nation. The day starts early with parades and ends late with firework displays. In the middle usually consists of barbeque celebrations, swimming, and family gatherings.
Flag Etiquette
The American flag is the national flag of the United States of America and an important part of July Fourth. It consists of thirteen horizontal stripes of red and white (representing the 13 original colonies) and a blue rectangle in the upper left hand corner with fifty stars representing the fifty states of the United States of America.
Flying the flag is a way to show your patriotism and pride for your country. There are some guidelines of flag etiquette to follow anytime you fly the American flag. Following these rules shows your respect for the flag.
- Never allow the American flag to touch the ground.
- The flag is flown at night only if it can be properly illuminated. Otherwise, only fly the flag from sunrise to sunset.
- Always allow the American flag to fall free. Replace the flag if it is damaged or worn.
- Never use the flag to carry, store, or deliver anything.
- Never fly the flag upside down except to signal an emergency.
By following the flag etiquette outlined above, you will help preserve the meaning and pride of the American flag.
July Fourth Celebrations
July Fourth is known for barbeque cookouts. It is the heaviest barbeque day of the year. After all, most Americans are off of work to celebrate and the weather is almost always sunny and hot. The meat of choice ranges from hamburgers and hot dogs all the way to brisket or steak. There are no rules on what you should cook on July Fourth as long as it tastes good!
Fireworks are also a must for July Fourth. Whether you choose to buy your own fireworks or go see a local display, it is all great fun. Remember to practice safe behavior around fireworks because they can be very dangerous or even deadly. Never allow young children around fireworks unsupervised. Ensure your pets are safely contained as fireworks can scare them and cause them to run away.
Clean Up
While barbeque sauce is essential for the food from the grill, it can be quite messy! It can end up all over your clothes, furniture, and floors especially if there are lots of children involved. If you do not choose to use a cleaning service, here are a few tips for removing barbeque sauce stains from your clothes. Similar steps can be used if the stain is on your furniture or carpet.
- Flush with cold water. Pretreat with a liquid laundry detergent and let stand for several minutes. Rinse well.
- Sponge the stain with white vinegar. Rinse well.
- Repeat steps 1-2 until you have removed as much of the stain as possible.
- Pretreat with a prewash stain remover and then launder.
If your house is covered in barbeque sauce or other remnants from your July Fourth festivities, consider hiring a cleaning service to handle the dirty work for you. They will know all the tricks of the trade for removing those difficult stains.
Your grill also needs a little tender loving care after being put to the test during the July Fourth celebrations. There are special tools and cleaners for grills that make it a little easier to clean. Properly cleaning your grill will ensure your equipment is clean for the next barbeque and also will guarantee a longer life of your grill. There are even cleaning services you can hire especially for grill cleaning!
Lastly, do not forget to clean up after the fireworks. Fireworks can leave small pieces all over your yard or on your deck that can later cause harm or damage to people, pets, and lawn equipment. Sweep or rake all of the remaining fireworks and properly dispose of them.
After all the July Fourth celebrations and festivities fun are over for the day, relax with your newly created memories and enjoy being an American!