Fourth of July in the UK

Independence Day

Fireworks were  first introduced and legalised in Philadelphia by Congress on 4th July 1777, to celebrate their declaration of independence from the British Empire back in the year 1776.  The first fireworks took place in Boston in the year 1777.  Since then, every 4th July is celebrated with fireworks for their Independence Day.

There is always a grand finale fireworks exhibition at night which is rounded up with thirteen rockets, that are shot in the air to give a fantastic sound and a spectacular fireworks display.

The Fireworks lights up the skies from New York to Las Vegas to celebrate this day.  The celebration is rounded up with barbecues and drinks among friends and families to make the day more memorable.

It has become a custom to celebrate the Fourth of July in the UK.  The Fourth of July celebrations are held in London and around the UK.  These celebrations are for people who have moved across the ocean from the USA or for those who just want to be part of the big day.  If you are over here working or if you live here permanently, you can still enjoy being part of  Independence Day.

In the UK, you can also enjoy American food, where restaurants serve vegan food and meats, for example; steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue ribs, buffalo chicken wings, and catfish to name a few.  While for desert, you can have some apple pie, cheesecake, ice cream sundaes, and red velvet cake.

London makes the Fourth of July a real celebration.  In addition to the foods listed above, there are statues of famous Americans including Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Martin Luther King, Jr.  George Washington can be found in the heart of London at the Trafalgar Square, while Abraham Lincoln’s statue stands opposite the House of Parliament. Martin Luther King Jr statue, was unveiled in July 1998 and stands at Westminster Abbey.

The Fourth of July in London also features an Independence Day Cruise down the Thames River.  The cruise is 5 hours long and includes a two-course barbecue meal and Dixie Swing band.  This is quite a celebration.

London is home to the mayflower pub and restaurant, which is built on the spot where the ship left for Plymouth before it started on the long, arduous trip to the New World.

Two of the founding fathers of the United States had houses that have been kept up and are used for today’s tours.  The Sulgrave Manor is a home in Oxford that was built by George Washington’s ancestors, in the mid 1500’s.  The tours of the house are available on certain holidays throughout the year, including the Fourth of July.

Benjamin Franklin lived in a house in London from 1757 to 1775.  These rooms are now used for live performances reenacting the times of Benjamin Franklin’s life in London.  This house, also has a Student Science centre that displays Benjamin Franklin’s scientific accomplishments, where school children come to learn about him.  It’s held on the top floor known as the Scholarship Centre, it displays the countless topics that are associated with Benjamin Franklin, and it’s a very detailed display.