Nothing screams summertime like sunshine, barbecues, and baseball (while wearing your favorite pair of USA Flag socks from MadSportsStuff). The only thing that might top those activities off is a good 4th of July celebration to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Each year Americans celebrate July 4th with picnics, carnivals, concerts, barbecues, and of course, fireworks. The annual U.S. celebration is the perfect excuse to kick back and throw a festival summertime party. Everyone has the day off work and people tend to gather together to pig out on all their favorites like sizzling hot dogs and juicy hamburgers.
A Little American History
Before you start planning your outdoor festivities for this year’s Fourth of July celebration, it is important to understand why exactly we celebrate in the first place. After all, the Fourth of July hasn’t always been about parties, fireworks, and baseball.
Over two centuries ago, Americans were fighting for Independence from the British hoping to be its own, self-governing entity. In July 1776, representatives from all 13 colonies voted in favor of independence, and two days later the Declaration of Independence was adopted. This formed a new nation known as the United States of America.
The First Fourth of July Celebrations
In pre-revolutionary years, colonists had annual celebrations for the king’s birthday. These celebrations included bonfires, the ringing of bells, and processions. But in the summer of 1776, after declaring our independence, some of the colonists celebrated by holding mock funerals for the British King George III.
Festivities also included concerts, parades, and firing of muskets and cannons. Philadelphia held the very first annual commemoration of independence on July 4, 1777. George Washington issued extra rations of rum to his soldiers to mark the occasion in 1778 and 1781.
The annual celebrations continued each year allowing the new nation’s political leaders to address citizens and create unity among the colonies. By the last decade of the 18th century, major cities had begun annual Fourth of July celebrations. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday, and in 1941 the government expanded the holiday to grant pay to all federal employees.
Over the years, some of the political importance of the Fourth of July has declined, but it has still remained an important national holiday. It has become a major focus of family and friend get-togethers that often involve fireworks, outdoor barbecues, baseball games with USA Flag socks and all kinds of fun activities.
Preparing for the Fourth with USA Flag Socks, Food, and Decorations
The most common symbol of the annual holiday is the American flag. This means that decorations are one of the most important parts of any Fourth of July celebration. Of course, you can always make a few decorations for your home 
and yard, like using stencils to paint red, white, and blue stars on your lawn, but you can also buy a huge array of decorations to really set the tone for your party. Red, white, and blue flowers or balloons are a frugal way to decorate the food table, plus balloons can act as an activity for the kids later in the evening. If you really want to get in the spirit of evening games, you can get all the kids a pair of American Flag Socks from MadSportsStuff. Nothing says “American” like wearing a pair of USA Flag socks on the Fourth of July.
You’ll also want to be sure that the food is perfect for your party. This is where most of your guests will spend their time and you’ll want to be sure you have plenty of food to go around. Hotdogs and hamburgers are popular options, as are potluck dinners. Many grocery stores and retailers have cookout items on sale over the holidays to help you pinch pennies when planning your get-together.
To take your celebration to the next level, be sure to get into the patriotic spirit with a red, white, and blue wardrobe. Of course, you can always go with the traditional red and white t-shirt with a pair of blue jeans or shorts, but you can spice things up even further with some American flag socks from MadSportsStuff. These USA Flag socks are even made in the U.S.A. so there’s no better way to show your patriotism.
After dinner is over, but when its still too light outside for eye-catching fireworks, head on over to a local baseball field, or just set up bases in your backyard and play a friendly game of baseball. In addition to their USA Flag socks, MadSportsStuff also has USA Flag Baseball Stirrups so you can be patriotic even while you’re burning off calories from your dinnertime feast.
Be sure to wrap up your evening with a nighttime celebration of fireworks. Sparklers are always a hit for the youngsters in the crowd, and then, of course, there are plenty of fireworks that give you plenty of sparks and bang for your buck.
Today’s July 4th Celebrations
This July 4th will mark the 242nd anniversary since our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. Every year we celebrate to honor the sacrifice that these men made. They were, after all, committing treason and placed their lives in jeopardy for our freedom.
Statistics show that 68 percent of adults say they will participate in a barbecue, picnic, or cookout to celebrate the Fourth of July, 20 percent say they will attend a parade, and nearly 50 percent of all Americans say they will participate in some sort of community fireworks celebration. Some of these community celebrations include barbecues or potluck dinners and concerts in addition to huge fireworks displays. Both young and old are delighted and amazed by the bright lights as they spread across the sky, and everyone loves to chow down on a tasty spread of food, especially if it is shared with friends and family. No matter where you are, it is certain that Americans will be celebrating this national holiday with baseball games, grills blazing, parades filling streets, and fireworks bursting into the sky.
No matter how you decide to celebrate the Fourth of July, it is an opportunity to spend time with your family and friends and just have a good time. Even if it just lasts one night, the memories will last forever. And don’t forget, that nothing shows your patriotism like a pair of USA Flag socks or USA Flag baseball stirrups while you’re celebrating this Fourth of July.
Show your patriotism this year and get USA Flag socks or USA Flag baseball stirrups from MadSportsStuff today!
