A guide to celebrating the American holiday, Fourth of July

Officially known as Independence Day in America, 4 July is a national holiday that marks when the Declaration of Independence was passed. 

Why do Americans celebrate on Fourth of July? 

Dating back to the 18th Century during the American Revolution, on 4 July the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. 

Nowadays Fourth of July is a holiday filled with friends, family and fireworks in remembrance of such an important historical day. 

“The Fourth of July is about family; it’s about us getting together with the people we love most.” – Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States of America. 

Fourth of July Celebrations in America 

The Fourth of July is a significant holiday for Americans, marking their independence and symbolising the start of summer. You can expect to see all kinds of red, white, and blue-themed food, drinks, and decorations. It’s also common to find holiday sales, making it a great day to take advantage of discounts. 

Fireworks 

Fireworks are the most famous part of America’s Independence Day, with colourful displays enjoyed across the country. Cities like New York, Boston, and the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., host large fireworks shows for people to gather and celebrate. 

Parades 

In smaller towns, you can typically witness parades featuring marching bands, military veterans, and decorated floats. Spectators often wave streamers and flags, getting into the festive spirit. 

Sports 

Another fun aspect of the Fourth of July is ‘America’s pastime’, where sports such as baseball hold major league games. Fans often wear special patriotic gear in celebration. 

How to celebrate in the UK 

If you want to commemorate the Fourth of July while in the UK, here are some ways to embrace the red, white, and blue spirit from across the pond. 

Food and drink 

Food and drink play a significant role in any celebration, and here are a few American-style options you can try: 

Pancakes 

American pancakes are famously light and fluffy ‘stacks’ that can be enjoyed with syrup, butter, streaky bacon, and scrambled eggs. In Brighton, you can savour the American pancake experience at places like Moksha Caffe (York Place), The Breakfast Club (Market Street), and Nowhere Man (Upper North Street). 

Root beer float 

A traditional American treat composed of root beer and vanilla ice cream. You can find root beer in the world food section of most Sainsbury’s stores for about £1-2. To make it, pour a glass of root beer, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, mix well, and enjoy this sweet, chilled treat – perfect for beating the heat. 

Hot dogs 

A classic American staple, hot dogs are a convenient way to enjoy a taste of America, especially for the Fourth of July. Most supermarkets offer hot dogs and hot dog buns. For a more elevated experience, try using brioche buns (a sweeter, darker dough) and fresh pork hot dogs topped with grilled onions and sauces. 

S’mores 

For a sweet and indulgent treat to celebrate America’s Independence Day, consider making s’mores. They consist of melted chocolate and marshmallows, sandwiched together with a sweet biscuit cracker and often cooked over a bonfire. While Graham crackers are not available in the UK, you can make a similar version using plain digestives (available in most supermarkets for about 50p), your favourite chocolate spread, and marshmallows (we recommend using large ones).  

To make them, spread a scoop of chocolate spread on a digestive, top it with a marshmallow, and heat them on a microwave-safe plate in 30-second intervals until they become soft. Finally, top with another digestive and enjoy your homemade s’mores! 

  

We hope this helps get you into the Fourth of July spirit. To all those who are celebrating, we wish you a very happy Independence Day!