For Americans around the world, the Fourth of July marks the birth of U.S. independence, and till today, it remains an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism. Falling in mid-summer, the day has become a major celebration accompanied by outdoor leisure activities, family get-togethers, fireworks, parades and music. The most common symbol of the holiday is the American flag.
Whether you’re in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world, the day is marked with fun-filled events decked out in red, white and blue, the traditional colors of the flag. Grills are fired up for epic afternoon cookouts and barbeques with traditional fare that include cheeseburgers, hot dogs, casseroles, chicken wings, desserts, and charcuterie boards filled with cold cuts, cheese, fruit and Graham crackers. Americans can be seen proudly dressed in unique headbands with lights, fun glowsticks, hats and other red, white and blue attire. And of course, no celebration is complete without the spectacular firework displays.
Though crowded festivals, marching bands and large parade floats are still prohibited in some countries, America, on the other hand, is getting ready to celebrate in-person this year (taking greater care and safety due to the pandemic).
In Vietnam, the American Chamber of Commerce Vietnam will celebrate the annual Independence Day Celebration and Community Picnic on August 28, 2021. The much-anticipated event will feature all-day live rock/funk music and a variety of traditional American food and beverages, to keep participants “close to home.” The community picnic will also showcase a unique and exciting corner of activities for kids. The event was initially planned for July 3, however, with the current lockdown measures in place, the event is postponed to August. For more information, visit the website at: https://bit.ly/2Txy7F5
The annual Fourth of July celebrations always boast a big turnout in Vietnam. (Photo: AmCham Vietnam)
This year, Singapore and the U.S. are celebrating 55 years of strong diplomatic ties. To commemorate the shared history of the two nations, the U.S. Embassy in Singapore has launched the USSG55 Campaign which features stories on security, economics, and people-to-people ties to underscore the strength of bilateral cooperation. The series also celebrates the common food culture, through a chocolate making workshop fusing Singaporean and American flavors, as well as exploring other food connections. On its social media platforms, the USSG55 campaign will share more information on the bilateral partnership and is also running various engaging activities such as the 5-5 hands photo action. For more information, click: https://sg.usembassy.gov/ussg55/
The U.S. Embassy in Singapore has launched an engaging #USSG55 photo campaign to celebrate 55 years of partnership. (Photo: U.S. Embassy Singapore)
Whether you’re enjoying a much-awaited family get-together, streaming the fireworks online, or joining your local American organizations to celebrate, we wish you a joyful and safe Independence Day!
Happy Birthday America!