Every year on July 4, millions of Americanscommemorate1(or remember and honor) the day when the United States adopted (or approved) theDeclaration2of Independence and created a new country that was independent and no longer part of Great Britain. Independence Day is a national holiday, meaning that most people don’t have to work that day. Instead, they usually spend the day with family and friends. Since Independence Day falls in the summer (or happens in the summer) when the weather is very nice, the tradition (or something that isnormally3done the same way every year) is to have a barbeque outside, where people cook meat over a fire in a special machine called agrill4. Probably the most traditional foods are hamburgers and hot dogs. People also eat a lot of chips and salads, and drinksodas5and beer. There is usually watermelon, which is a large, round, green fruit that is red with black seeds inside, for dessert. Baseball games, parades (or events where many people celebrate by walking through the street slowly), and concerts are also popular on Independence Day. Many politicians (or people who have been chosen to work in government) give speeches that day, talking about the importance of U.S. history andpatriotism6(or feelings of being proud of one’s country). Atdusk7, which is the time of day when the sun sets and it begins to get dark, people often go to parks to see fireworks. Fireworks are colorfulexplosions8in the air that make a lot of noise and are pretty to look at. Most towns and cities have fireworks displays where they set off (or start) many fireworks in a short period of time. Some people go to sit on the roof of their home, where they can see many fireworks displays at the same time. Other people like to set off their own fireworks. In June and early July, many fireworks are sold to individuals and families. These fireworks are smaller and can be lit (or started with fire) in the street to make noise and colored lights. Some cities and states allow people to set off their own fireworks, but it is not legal in other cities and states.