Celebrating Independence Day (15 pictures)

July Fourth, the day Americans celebrate their independence from that place across the pond.

4th of July Fireworks and White House, Washington DC. James Madison said, “I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” Photo by Matthew Straubmuller

 

No matter how we spend our July 4th day — picnics, parades, music — Americans all enjoy fireworks to celebrate America’s Birthday. “There are those, I know, who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American dream,” quote by Archibald MacLeish. Photo by Peter Patau

 

Celebrating Freedom. “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety,” ~ Benjamin Franklin. Photo by Tim Hamilton

 

Detroit Fireworks. Samuel Adams said ~ “The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.” Photo  by memories_by_mike

 

Empire State Building with fireworks. “Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom” ~ quote by Albert Einstein. Photo by Bob Jagendorf

 

Fireworks display over Statue of Liberty. “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people,” ~ quote by Abraham Lincoln. Photo by Dave Bledsoe

 

Fireworks in front of the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Mark Twain said, “Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.” Photo by Will Marlow

 

Happy Independence Day, America! “May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country!” ~ quote by Daniel Webster. Photo by Jeff Krause

 

Independence Day fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Hawaii. “Posterity: you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it,” ~ quote by John Quincy Adams. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Swink

 

Marine Sgt. Geovanni Cruz, 28, from New Britain, Conn., celebrates Independence Day July 4. Elmer Davis said, “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook

 

Navy Pier Fireworks From Adler Planetarium, Chicago. Thomas Paine said, “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” Paine also said, “The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.” Photo by Chris Smith

 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Webb salutes as the American flag is presented on stage during the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular at the Charles River Esplanade. Did you know: During the War of 1812 this Star Spangled Banner, as America’s flag was referred to, was the inspiration for Francis Scott Key, who composed what later became our National Anthem. Photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gary Ward

 

Taken from Brooklyn, with the Manhattan Bridge in the foreground. Fourth of July. “The United States is the only country with a known birthday,” ~ quote by James G. Blaine. Photo by Barry Yanowitz

 

July 4th in New York City. Erma Bombeck said, “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” Photo by Barry Yanowitz