The 4th of July in pictures: The USA’s biggest birthday party

People across the U.S. celebrate American Independence Day on the Fourth of July every year. We think of July 4, 1776, as a day that represents the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation. We claimed our independence from Britain and democracy was born. See the celebrations in pictures here.

A father and daughter enjoy the Fourth of July in Waveland, Mississippi. (Photo Credit AP Images)

 It’s a birthday party for everyone, young and old. It takes place at fairgrounds and parks, on beaches, streets and in peoples’ backyards. It is the Fourth of July — Independence Day — the birthday of the United States of America.

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Flags fly high and celebrations start early at picnics and cookouts, but everyone looks forward to the big event after sunset — the fireworks.

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People flock to beaches with family and friends on the Fourth of July. Some beaches on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts are famous for their amusement parks, including Coney Island amusement park near New York City.

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Fourth of July parties in high-rise buildings give guests a bird’s-eye view. Here spectators watch fireworks from a hotel in Las Vegas.

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Americans love a parade, and there are probably more parades around the country on Independence Day than any other day of the year. Anyone may join in, from marching bands to horseback riders — and little boys on tricycles in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida.

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If you aren’t in the parade, you can participate by cheering on those who are. Even small towns have parades and fireworks, as seen here in Eagar, Arizona.

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Baseball and Independence Day go together like hot dogs and buns. The day was especially sweet for these Kansas City Royals players watching the fireworks in Kansas City, Missouri. They had just won their game against the Minnesota Twins.

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Music concerts are plentiful on Independence Day. Here a crowd marks the Fourth as they watch rhythm-and-blues singer Peabo Bryson perform at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta.

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R&B, rock ’n’ roll and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” — complete with real cannon fire during the finale — are often heard on Independence Day. Fans here were treated to a colorful fireworks display at the Grateful Dead’s “Fare Thee Well” concert in Chicago.