For those users who live in the United States, and to those who don't, happy 4th of July! You're allowed to answer this thread even if you aren't in the US, because I know that some people travel to different countries. You can also reply to this thread after today to tell us what you did do.

What special/traditional things are you doing today to celebrate Independence Day? Who will you be doing it with, if anyone?

For me, I'm choosing to be outside a bit today because my neighborhood used to have a yearly tradition of holding a block party every 4th of July. We would stay outside all day in the blazing heat with bikes, coolers, food, and fireworks at dark. Unfortunately, we don't do that anymore so I've been finding other things to do to keep me busy and not sad that we aren't doing that.

So I already went outside to shoot hoops. As long as my friend Brandon can have his mom take me, I'll be going with them to see the fireworks downtown at 10pm. The traffic is always horrendous afterwards so I expect to be gone for at least 2 hours. Unless we're going home on a plane, which isn't happening because it's only half an hour away in regular traffic conditions.

Well the bad part about my Forth of July is, I'm going to have to work and wait on other people till about three in the morning. This sounds like a really fun night. If I get lucky, I might be able to leave early, and get to come home and read some comics. I'm reading through the Walking Dead. I have to say the show doesn't do it justice. I still love it, but there is just something about the comics.

Droog : My dad had to work today too, and right after working he had to leave again. He's driving my younger brother to meet his foster parents halfway at a restaurant, and then they drive him the rest of the way to their house. I hope they get to celebrate the day together in some way, but they very likely won't be seeing any city fireworks because they live out in the country.

The reason I have to go see fireworks with a friend is because my mom is having a kidneystone and there's that chance that my dad gets stuck in traffic on the way there and/or back.

Staying up until 3am on a holiday sounds fun but exhausting unless you're working during that time. I'm used to having to stay up until 1am on this day each year because my neighbor launches fireworks all week.

  I am canadian and don,t celebrate the fourth of july instead we have canada day on july 1 but I would still like to take this opportunity to wish all those on Viz who do celebrate it a happy fourth of july

no 8120 : I hope you have a great rest of your day too! Well, it's cool that Canada Day is only 3 days before the 4th of July.

By the way, it looks like I will for sure be able to see those fireworks tonight. My friend hasn't gotten back to me yet about what his mom says, but my dad is coming home in another hour so we will have plenty of time to drive there before it becomes too crowded. If I can go with my friend, I will but if I can't, I'd be just as happy to go with my dad!

We decided at the last minute yesterday that we were going to drive the 100 odd miles to our favorite fireworks store and set them off in the street in front of the house. We try to get at least some fireworks every year, since we don't really celebrate many of the other holidays. It's one of the few things we get to do once a year.

I've also made a conscious effort to refer to it as Independence Day instead of "The Forth of July" or "Fireworks Day" because I feel like, as a result of the original term starting to go out of popular usage, the entire reason for the day being special is being lost to history. For me, the fireworks are a really nice bonus, but it's more about observing the day in which the Declaration of Independence was read aloud in public and we proclaimed to be a sovereign nation. That's just a personal nitpick, though.

I did nothing since I'm not from USA. I know many people here in Norway celebrate it with a car meet and cruise with US made car only. Have been there a couple of times and so many cool cars and the atmosphere there is awesome. Specially if you are into cars like me you are like a kid in a candy shop. 

m0ssb3rg935 : My neighbor launches fireworks every year as well, so even if I don't see any local fireworks, I could just watch him instead. My family has never been into that kind of thing, though. Especially since we have dogs who freak out at the noise.

I feel like the term Independence Day is going out of style because 4th of July is easier for everyone to remember. Many of us are all about convenience in the USA and that's one example. :/ I might have remembered to call it that if I didn't accidentally cover it up when writing on that day on my paper calendar.

I WIn Also : That sounds fun! I've always been into looking at cars but I know nothing about types of cars so it would be a good learning experience for me.

Was walking my dog that day and did see a convoy of US cars. like around 67 mustang and a mach 1 mustang. Did also see a Plymouth GTX witch I have never seen before in Norway. So that was pretty cool. The county I live in Norway is a US car heaven. So many cool US made cars here witch is rare and not common at all in Norway.

Had a great time yesterday. Did boat party and then later that night lit off the 7 fireworks cakes I bought. I put on quite the show for everybody.

Cyro Xero : Both of those things sound fun! Someday I'd like to watch my next-door neighbor launch his fireworks. He launches a bunch of them too in the 4th of July week, especially on the night of Independence Day.

I wouldn't expect it to be up to par with the city's fireworks, but he's pretty good at it. He's been doing it for many years.

I didn't do anything. I have a TV tray dinner, watched some YouTube and M*A*S*H*, and taught MattyIce how to play Overwatch a little bit. 

I really enjoy Independence Day due to my family getting together and having dinner, in this case this year, both lunch and dinner. We don't shoot off fireworks due to us usually thinking it's a waste of money, and we can see them from other people during the entirety of the night.

I didn't celebrate any special way, I just appreciated independance day and stuff. I don't like celebrating things pointlessly.

My family set off fireworks. I didn't, and I saved $60 by not buying fireworks.

I just bought some fireworks and those things that pop when you throw on the ground. I has like a sparkler or 2 and that's about it. I would celebrate even more if I could but some fireworks are quite expensive. 

Pacman+Mariofan : I didn't get to see any fireworks either, so I'm right there with. We didn't get out of there until almost 3, so I had a little time to come home a relax. I had more fun the next day. I had a day off, and had a friend come over and game. Ran him in almost everything with played. Sometimes even taking one loss hurts. lol 

tyranit: That's a good idea to have a meal together as a family on Independence Day. We're celebrating the birth of our nation, which happened because of people working together. I think fireworks are only a waste of money if there are too many duds. When I was watching the local fireworks, I noticed quite a few duds :/ They were struggling this year but it was still very enjoyable.

yoshirulez! : Yeah, some people just buy fireworks and shoot them off for one night and that's it. My neighbor, however, gets his money's worth.

DragonSlayer22 : I know what you're talking about with those things that pop, but the name escapes my mind. At my friend Derek's house, he and I slammed those things to the ground as hard as we could. It was so fun, although his neighbors might not have been the happiest when hearing that.

Droog : Well holidays are good for relaxation too. It helps you feel peace like the holidays are usually celebrating or revolve around.

Pacman+Mariofan : I find them to be kind of stressful. It seems like those days bring out the worst in some people.  I did get some people who are in a good mood on those days, more often, I've found people just want special treatment, and when they don't get it they throw fits.

I didn't really celebrate to any special extent besides the usual grilling food outside since it was nice that day. I camped the weekend coming towards the 4th, but I wouldn't call that celebrating because of the 4th coming up. Didn't even buy our own fireworks since we don't have too much extra money to burn for it.

Droog : I meant that they were meant to be relaxing, and I see what you mean. My family stresses a lot about getting ready for the holidays. But usually everyone except my brother is good about not putting up a fuss during a holiday celebration.

pacman1755 : Grilled food sounds delicious because I'm hungry I've heard of people camping or going away for the 4th, or before or after. I'd count it as celebrating if it's around the holiday and that's what the intention is.