• Fireworks on the boardwalk at New York's historic Coney Island. Photo: Bob Jagendorf
    Fireworks on the boardwalk at New York's historic Coney Island. Photo: Bob Jagendorf
  • Face-painting is often a US holiday tradition. Photo: US National Archives
    Face-painting is often a US holiday tradition. Photo: US National Archives
  • The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities, this time in 2019 in Washington DC. Nara Photo by Jeffrey Reed.
    The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities, this time in 2019 in Washington DC. Nara Photo by Jeffrey Reed.
  • Washington Nationals Racing Presidents stop at the National Archives to shoot a new fourth-inning race introduction video, where they were met by US Archivist David Ferriero.
    Washington Nationals Racing Presidents stop at the National Archives to shoot a new fourth-inning race introduction video, where they were met by US Archivist David Ferriero.
  • Visitors read the US Constitution on display at the National Archives in Washington.
    Visitors read the US Constitution on display at the National Archives in Washington.
  • The skyrockets' red glare lights up the Washington Monument. Photo: Joseph Gruber
    The skyrockets' red glare lights up the Washington Monument. Photo: Joseph Gruber
  • The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities on July 4, 2019, in Washington DC. NARA Photo by Jeffrey Reed.
    The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities on July 4, 2019, in Washington DC. NARA Photo by Jeffrey Reed.
  • A man and his patriotic dog show their civic pride. Photo Faith Goble
    A man and his patriotic dog show their civic pride. Photo Faith Goble
  • Role players recreate a scene from 1776 for an audience outside Washington's National Archives. Photo: US National Archives
    Role players recreate a scene from 1776 for an audience outside Washington's National Archives. Photo: US National Archives
  • Disneyland's Space Mountain and an epic fireworks display. Photo: Don Sullivan
    Disneyland's Space Mountain and an epic fireworks display. Photo: Don Sullivan
  • The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities on July 4, 2019 in Washington DC. NARA Photo by Ted Chaffman.
    The National Archives celebrates Independence Day with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities on July 4, 2019 in Washington DC. NARA Photo by Ted Chaffman.
  • Costumed role players participate in Washington's Independence Day tradition. Photo: US National Archives
    Costumed role players participate in Washington's Independence Day tradition. Photo: US National Archives
  • Independence Day in the US is celebrated from coast to coast. Photo: US Army
    Independence Day in the US is celebrated from coast to coast. Photo: US Army
  • Flag-bearing Fourth of July revellers rumble through the streets of middle America. Photo: Ken Mattison
    Flag-bearing Fourth of July revellers rumble through the streets of middle America. Photo: Ken Mattison
  • Macy's department store hosts one of the nation's largest displays of fireworks on New York's East River. Photo: Dan Nguyen
    Macy's department store hosts one of the nation's largest displays of fireworks on New York's East River. Photo: Dan Nguyen
  • A four-legged American shows its colours. Photo: Randy Robertson
    A four-legged American shows its colours. Photo: Randy Robertson
  • Parades throughout the streets of America are a Fourth of July tradition and give classic car owners a chance to strut their stuff. Photo: Robert Couse-Baker
    Parades throughout the streets of America are a Fourth of July tradition and give classic car owners a chance to strut their stuff. Photo: Robert Couse-Baker
  • Residents of Berkeley, California, enjoy an evening of pyrotechnics. Photo: Daniel Parks
    Residents of Berkeley, California, enjoy an evening of pyrotechnics. Photo: Daniel Parks
  • A giant bald eagle balloon makes its way through Washington and past the National Archives. Photo: US National Archives
    A giant bald eagle balloon makes its way through Washington and past the National Archives. Photo: US National Archives
  • The National Archives hosts an annual Independence Day celebration with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities. Photo: US National Archives
    The National Archives hosts an annual Independence Day celebration with musical performances, a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and history-related family activities. Photo: US National Archives
  • An air dancer by the National Archives on the Fourth of July in Washington. Photo: US National Archives
    An air dancer by the National Archives on the Fourth of July in Washington. Photo: US National Archives
  • The National Mall, with Washington monuments and the US Capitol in the background, forms a beautiful and patriotic backdrop to America's Independence Day celebrations. Photo: Carol Highsmith
    The National Mall, with Washington monuments and the US Capitol in the background, forms a beautiful and patriotic backdrop to America's Independence Day celebrations. Photo: Carol Highsmith

World

US

July 4: America set for day of fireworks and hotdogs on Independence Day 2022

American Independence Day celebrations set to return on a scale not seen since before the pandemic

The National

July 04, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July, marks the date in 1776 when the 13 original colonies of North America officially declared themselves to be free from the British Crown in an event that is considered to be America's birthday.

The date has been a public holiday since 1941, and this year the US will celebrate the day with patriotic events including spectacular fireworks displays, parades, picnics and barbeques on a scale not seen since before the Covid-19 pandemic.

What US events are planned for 4th July 2022?

In Washington, the Fourth of July parade is back for the first time since 2019, and the US capital's Mayor, Muriel Bowser, invited locals and visitors to join her on the walk along a flag-festooned National Mall.

Also in Washington this weekend is the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, which features stands and displays showing Emirati culture in the Living Landscape, Living Memory exhibition.

Public celebrations in Washington were all but cancelled in 2020 as the pandemic raged but returned on a small scale last year.

In New York, a hot-dog-eating contest sees contestants gulping down as many sausages and buns as they can in 10 minutes.

The defending champ and men's record holder is Joey Chestnut, who managed 76 hot dogs in 2020. The top woman is Michelle Lesco, who ate 30.75 hot dogs at last year's event.

Not happening in Washington in 2022: a repeat of the military parade that former president Donald Trump ordered for 2019, in which F-18s flew over DC and tanks thundered down its streets.

The cost of the extravaganza raised eyebrows in Washington and locals in the heavily Democrat city worried it was more like a “Make America Great Again” rally than a joyful celebration of the nation's founding.

  • In this July 4, 1971 photo, President Richard Nixon signs the Constitution's newest amendment which guarantees 18-year-olds the right to vote in all elections. AP Photo
    In this July 4, 1971 photo, President Richard Nixon signs the Constitution's newest amendment which guarantees 18-year-olds the right to vote in all elections. AP Photo
  • In this July 4, 1981 photo, US President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn Carter, right, and daughter Amy Carter, wave to the crowd along Peachtree Street as they lead a parade through the streets in Atlanta. AP Photo
    In this July 4, 1981 photo, US President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn Carter, right, and daughter Amy Carter, wave to the crowd along Peachtree Street as they lead a parade through the streets in Atlanta. AP Photo
  • In this July 4, 1984, photo, President Ronald Reagan congratulates stock car driver Richard Petty, who won the Firecracker 400 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Ira Schwarz, File)
    In this July 4, 1984, photo, President Ronald Reagan congratulates stock car driver Richard Petty, who won the Firecracker 400 race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Ira Schwarz, File)
  • In this July 4, 1996 photo, President Bill Clinton, right, watches a young American Bald Eagle named Freedom being released into the wild. AP Photo
    In this July 4, 1996 photo, President Bill Clinton, right, watches a young American Bald Eagle named Freedom being released into the wild. AP Photo
  • In this July 4, 2001 photo, President George W Bush celebrates the Fourth of July holiday in Philadelphia and poses with that city's baseball mascot, the Philly Phanatic. AP Photo
    In this July 4, 2001 photo, President George W Bush celebrates the Fourth of July holiday in Philadelphia and poses with that city's baseball mascot, the Philly Phanatic. AP Photo
  • In this July 4, 2009 photo, President Barack Obama shakes hands with members of the United States armed services and their guests while hosting a Fourth of July party on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. AP Photo
    In this July 4, 2009 photo, President Barack Obama shakes hands with members of the United States armed services and their guests while hosting a Fourth of July party on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. AP Photo
Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks

Following fashion

Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.

Losing your balance

You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.

Being over active

If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.

Running your losers

Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.

Selling in a panic

If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.

Timing the market

Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.

How to report a beggar

Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)

Dubai – Call 800243

Sharjah – Call 065632222

Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372

Ajman – Call 067401616

Umm Al Quwain – Call 999

Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

Sukuk explained

Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.

Updated: July 04, 2022, 10:44 AM
Independence day