4th of July

On July 4, 1776, Americans claimed their independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave” so they can begin their American Dream.

History

In 1775, people in New England began fighting the British for their independence. On July 2, 1776, the Congress secretly voted for independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence was first published two days later on July 4, 1776. The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was on July 8, 1776. Delegates began to sign the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776. In 1870, Independence Day was made an unpaid holiday for federal employees. In 1941, it became a paid holiday for them.

The first description of how Independence Day would be celebrated was in a letter from John Adams to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776. He described "pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations" throughout the United States. However, the term "Independence Day" was not used until 1791.

Interestingly, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, both signers of the Declaration of Independence and presidents of the United States, died on July 4, 1826 - exactly 50 years after the adoption of the declaration. It is also important to note that Native Americans lived in the country and each tribe had its own nation and government prior to the European settlers.

How is it celebrated?

Independence Day is a day of family celebrations with picnics and barbecues, showing a great deal of emphasis on the American tradition of political freedom. Activities associated with the day include watermelon or hotdog eating competitions and sporting events, such as baseball games, three-legged races, swimming activities and tug-of-war games.

Many people display the American flag outside their homes or buildings. Many communities arrange fireworks that are often accompanied by patriotic music. The most impressive fireworks are shown on television. Some employees use one or more of their vacation days to create a long weekend so that they can escape the heat at their favorite beach or vacation spot.

Independence Day is a patriotic holiday for celebrating the positive aspects of the United States. Many politicians appear at public events to show their support for the history, heritage and people of their country. Above all, people in the United States express and give thanks for the freedom and liberties fought by the first generation of many of today's Americans. The Statue of Liberty is a national monument that is associated with Independence Day.

Public life

Independence Day is a federal holiday. If July 4 is a Saturday, it is observed on Friday, July 3. If July 4 is a Sunday, it is observed on Monday, July 5. Government offices and schools are closed. Some businesses may be closed as well. In some years, many employees use a proportion of their vacation days to create a long weekend. This can cause congestion in some places, particularly towards popular holiday destinations.

There are many public events, parades, shows and fireworks displays. This may cause local disruption to traffic. Public transit systems do not usually operate on their regular timetables.

Mexican Independence Day

Every year on September 16th, the people of Mexico celebrate the day that they gained independence as a country. Find out more about this important holiday!

History

In the year 1500, Spain conquered Mexico and named it New Spain. Life was hard under Spanish rule and many of the native Mexicans (Mayas and Aztecs) were forced into slavery. More than 300 years later, on September 16, 1810, in the early hours of September 16th, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest in the small town of Dolores, Guanajuato, started a revolt against the Spanish, rang the church bell to gather the townspeople. He called for the people of Mexico to rise up against the Spanish Crown, thus initiating Mexico's War of Independence. The Spanish were finally defeated in 1821 and now Mexican Independence is celebrated every year in town squares across Mexico to remember the beginning of the struggle for freedom.

How is it celebrated?

Mexican Independence Day is one of the biggest holidays in Mexico. Much like the Fourth of July in US, people celebrate with food, songs, fireworks, and of course a day off school.

The largest Independence Day celebration takes place in Mexico City's Zocalo, which is decorated from the beginning of September with red, white and green lights and Mexican flags. On the 15th, at 11 pm the President of the Republic goes out onto the central balcony of the National Palace (Palacio Nacional), rings the bell (the same bell Hidalgo rang in 1810, brought to Mexico City in 1886) and cries to the people gathered in the square below, who enthusiastically respond "¡Viva!"

  

This is the version often said by the President of Mexico in the national commemorative activity in the National Palace or at the church in Dolores Hidalgo. Local leaders can adapt this to their respective circumstances from the state to the municipal or city level. Again, these are the words being said by the President of Mexico in the national activity on the very evening on eve of Independence Day.

    Mexicans!

    Long live Hidalgo!

    Long live Morelos!

    Long live Josepha Ortiz de Dominguez!

    Long live Allende!

    Long live Galena and the Bravos!

    Long live Aldama and Matamoros!

    Long live National Independence!

    Long Live Mexico! Long Live Mexico! Long Live Mexico!

    Long live the heroes that gave us the Fatherland!

At the end of the third - Long Live Mexico! - the crowd goes wild waving flags, ringing noisemakers and spraying foam. Then fireworks light up the sky as the crowd cheers. Later the Mexican national anthem is sung.

Parade

The celebrations continue on the 16th with civic ceremonies and parades the largest taking place in Mexico City, but perhaps the most touching festivities are those in small communities in which school children of all ages participate.

Food

Like most festivities, certain foods are considered representative of Independence Day. A favorite is pozole, a soup made of hominy and pork. Other foods have the colors of the Mexican flag - red white and green, like chiles en nogada. And of course, it just wouldn't be a party without plenty of mezcal and tequila.

Carnivals around the world

Carnivals

Believe it or not, but February is the most festive time of the year. Why? Because of the carnivals happening world-wide! The festivities typically include lively parades, rich foods, and different forms of entertainment.

Many different theories surround the origins of Carnival. Some suggest that it is derived from the Latin expression “carne vale”, which means “farewell to meat”, signifying that those were the last days when one could eat meat before the fasting of Lent. Others believe that the celebrations were a way to scare away evil spirits, there by saying goodbye to winter and welcoming spring.

There are hundreds of carnivals across the world, but there are a select few that have proved to be the most spectacular ones.

American carnivals

           Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The most famous carnival in South America takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from Feb 18th - 21st, and attracts people from all over the world. One of the highlights of this is the samba parade competition, in which samba schools from different neighborhoods of the city take part. They each choose a different theme each year and spend all year practicing their music and dancing, and preparing their costumes and floats. There are also street carnivals in different parts of the city with bands and dancers wearing all sorts of elaborate costumes, as well as balls and dance parties where dressing up is very much encouraged.

                       New Orleans, USA

Mardi Gras is a popular American festival that started during the mid-1800s. It is another festival, in which American citizens take part to show their respect and support to the existence of the various cultures in the city. The color scheme is always purple, green and gold symbolizing justice, power and faith accordingly. It starts after Twelfth Night, on Epiphany (January 6). A masked ball is held each year to mark the occasion. Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French), the day before Ash Wednesday. There is usually at least one parade every night starting two Fridays before Mardi Gras. Inexpensive strings of beads and toys have been thrown from floats to parade-goers since at least the late 19th century. More than four million people typically visit New Orleans during Carnival and Mardi Gras each year.

                        Azuero, Penonme, and Panama City, Panama

Carnival celebrations are held all over Panama, with the largest in Azuero, Penonme, and Panama City, the capital. These celebrations are huge parties with parades, music, dancing and amazing costumes. One particular Panamanian tradition is the throwing of water at one another, the ‘mojadera’, which is both lots of fun and a great way to keep cool (so leave your best clothes at home!). In 2013 these carnivals will take place between Feb 18th - 21st.

  

                       El Callao, Venezuela

Each February a large carnival takes place in El Callao in the Venezuelan state of Boliva, featuring a mixture of music and costumes from Venezuela, the West Indies and the French Antilles. There are also carnivals in other parts of Venezuela, including “Los Tambores de Bariovento” and Trinidad.

            

                        Barranquilla, Colombia

UNESCO honored the carnival of Barranquilla by declaring it a World Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It is the most-awaited festival of the year by all who wish to enjoy four days of a cultural and folkloric event characterized by ethnic diversity, merriment, dance, music, and entertainment.

The Carnival of Barranquilla begins four days before Ash Wednesday and reaches its climax the following Saturday during the Batalla de las Flores (battle of the flowers), where the gaiety and color of the Colombians come face to face in a unique battle of color, flowers, beauty, and peace.

It is the best example of a triple cultural fusion (European, African, and Indian) in which the Catholic festivities brought by the Spaniards from the Old World blended with aboriginal ceremonies and the musical heritage of African slaves to become a spectacular folk festivity.