Each year, Washington, DC celebrates the Fourth of July with a bang, meaning there are plenty of DC-flavored ways to honor Independence Day. Read below for some of our favorite selections and make sure to check out other summer activities in DC, including where to watch the fireworks on the Fourth. And stay tuned for ways to celebrate America's 250th through July 4, 2026. What was Washington, D.C. like in the 1940s? Take a look at our great posts with stories, people, photos, and history about the District from the forties. Take a trip back in time to see more than 100 years of Fourth of July celebrations including how our troops celebrated while deployed overseas. To give a taster of how these celebrations have changed, here’s a photographic showcase of Independence Day from 1890 to 1990. 1890: 4th of July Parade, Denver, Colorado. 1911: Men wearing period costumes march in New York’s 4th of July parade. 1916: Little girl dressed as Liberty. 1919: Washington Monument 4th of July celebrations Speeches, military events, parades, and fireworks marked the day. In 1941, Congress declared July 4 a federal holiday. Over time, various other summertime activities also came to be associated with the Fourth of July, including historical pageants, picnics, baseball games, watermelon-eating contests, and trips to the beach. July Culture Guide: 45 Things to Do in the DC Area Catch Megan Thee Stallion at Broccoli City Festival, visit a new exhibit on Black collage artists, and more. 3. 1940: A group of children playing with sparklers after Fourth of July celebrations. 4. 1955: A young boy on a miniature float commemorates the American Declaration of Independence, at the baby Celebrate Independence Day 2025 in style! Find exciting 4th of July events, parades, and fireworks displays happening near Washington. Your 4th Of July Guide for 2025 in Washington Three boys dressed as a patriotic band celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, in the 1940s. Aside from more traffic and a vastly different fashion sense, Fourth of July today isn't too washington Dc parade 1940s-4 - from our story 'Watching them Watching the Parade To Recruit Civilian Defense Volunteers – Washington DC, 1943' View The Article Arts, entertainment, and fun in DC, Maryland, and Virginia June 30 - July 4. Things to do July 4th weekend, from rooftops to concerts. Independence Day is a significant American holiday celebrated nationwide with patriotic ceremonies. On July 4th, people don red, white, and blue attire to honor the United States and its cherished freedoms. Across the country, vibrant parades with flags and dazzling fireworks displays illuminate the night sky, bringing communities together in patriotic unity. Explore these vintage 4th of July The Fourth of July in Washington, DC, in 1970 saw a different kind of celebration, full of protesters against the Vietnam War. Protestors in the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, July 4, Parade Route Adjustment: Beginning in 2025, the Takoma Park 4th of July parade route will be entirely in Takoma Park, MD. The parade will turn right at Willow Ave, left at Tulip Ave, and right at Maple Ave, continuing then along its traditional route. In the past, the DC portion of the parade route was arranged through an informal agreement with DC. In 2023 the Takoma Park Independence Day Fourth of July Guide: Parades, Fireworks, and Celebrations Around DC Firework watch parties, patriotic concerts, neighborhood festivities, and more. The National Independence Day Parade is held annually in Washington, DC. Invited bands and participants come together every year for this patriotic, flag-waving, red white and blue celebration of America’s birthday! Explore the best things to do in Washington, DC, from events happening right now to festivals, holiday celebrations, new museum exhibits, concerts and more. In the Washington, DC area, two women dressed as Liberty and Columbia as part of the year’s Fourth of July celebration. The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, stands as an enduring symbol of American freedom. With the acrid smell of firecrackers lingering in the hot summer air, mid-century memories of July 4th Parades past return. The following is a timeline of the history of Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States.
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