14 Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July This Year

It's almost time for one of the quintessential summer holidays: the 4th of July!

The 4th of July, or Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the US. It marks the date of the independence from Britian in 1776.

1. Decorate Your Apartment with Red, White, and Blue Decor

Get festive without ever leaving your apartment with some red, white, and blue decor. Buy fresh flowers and add decorations. You can also drape your table with an American flag-themed tablecloth.

2. Bake Red, White, and Blue-Themed Treats

Red, white, and blue-themed treats are worth baking!

Try strawberry shortcake with a sprinkle of blueberries. You could also cover brownies with novelty, colorful candies.

If you’re feeling ambitious, try a cake covered in white icing and strawberries and blueberries. Fashion the fruit into an American Flag.

But don’t worry if you're not much of a baker. You can take an ice cream sandwich and cover the sides in red, white, and blue sprinkles. That makes for a delicious treat.

3. Host a BBQ with Family & Friends

Make it a potluck where everyone brings their favorite summer goodie. There's nothing that screams summer more than a good outdoor BBQ with some sunshine, outdoor activities, and yummy food.

4. Attend a Local Fireworks Show

Check your city for a local fireworks show or research smaller towns nearby. Grab a blanket and beverage of choice and enjoy the show.

5. Tour National Landmarks

There's never been a better time to tour the national landmarks. If you can't make it there in-person, from D.C. monuments to online exhibits, here's where to get started on your virtual landmark tour:

• The Architect of the Virtual Capitol
• National Park Service Photos and Multimedia
• Statue of Liberty Virtual Tour
• National Museum of American History - Online Exhibitions
• George Washington's Mount Vernon Virtual Tour

6. Watch a Historic Film About Our Country's Founding

Grab some popcorn and binge on historical films about our country's founding. Get started with favorites like John Adams, 1776, or The Patriot. Or, spice things up and watch Hamilton Live.

7. Read a Book About Our Country's Founding

Brush up on your country's founding history with a diverse range of perspectives. Get started with Our Sacred Honor.

This book features speeches, letters, poems, and articles. It includes those from George Washington, John and Abigail Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.

8. Host Your Own 5k

Gather together with friends near and far, and host your own 5k. Record video on your phone to record all the fun. You could also take the opportunity to raise money for your favorite cause.

9. Head to the Drive-Ins

If you aren't ready for big crowds yet, head to the drive-in. There, you can take in a flick outdoors.

But it's not just about films. More symphonies, concerts, and other performances are taking place outdoors. That way, people can watch from their cars.

10. Go on a Camping Trip

You can enjoy the great outdoors with a hike and camping.

Pick your favorite trails and sleep under the stars. You might even see a fireworks display from a nearby town.

11. Watch a Virtual Fireworks Display

Some fireworks will go virtual this year for all to enjoy. Macy's will live stream a recap of their weeklong firework spectacular in New York City on July 4 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.

You can also search for reruns of your favorite firework displays. Then, you can enjoy them for the first time all over again.

12. Trace Your Ancestry

Now’s the time to trace your ancestry through our country's history. Sign up with a site like Ancestry.com.

You can also call up your relatives to get more information on who's who in your family. Who knows? You might find out you're related to the founding fathers.

13. Make Some Big Changes

Take a few moments to research your favorite cause and exercise your freedom of speech. Whether it's a new law, a complaint, or just a suggestion, you can email your Congressperson or local officials to raise your voice.

14. Enjoy Your Day Off!

Sometimes, the best way to celebrate the Fourth of July is to relax at home and enjoy the day for yourself. Sleep in or enjoy a bike ride. Soak up the freedom of the whole day to yourself.

Staying home and staying safe doesn't mean you can't still have fun on the Fourth. Pick and choose your favorite socially-distanced activities and make it a day to remember!