If you're an American, you're probably looking forward to the 4th of July. It's
the USA's biggest holiday, after all. Christmas and Thanksgiving are all well and good, but there's nothing like the 4th of July to make you feel proud as an American. But what if you're not in the US this year? What if you got relocated somewhere else? A place where this holiday isn't that big of a deal? Do you not celebrate it at all? Of course, not! You're an American no matter where you are! You can still celebrate the 4th of July by holding a backyard barbecue, playing ball, and lighting up sparklers, among many others!
Host a Pool Party
Since the 4th of July is the peak of summer, it's become a custom for many Americans to celebrate it with a pool party. After all, it is a non-working holiday. When else do they have the free time to lounge about in the pool? And if the day falls on a weekend, you, as an American in another country, can always do the same wherever you are! If you don't have your own private pool like, say, a
mansion in Los Angeles, there are plenty of alternatives. You can set up an inflatable pool and invite friends over. Or book the pool in a nearby hotel and hold the party there!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Hold a Backyard Barbecue
Holding a backyard barbecue on the 4th of July is practically an American tradition. Every year, American families gather and cook meat, grill seafood, and enjoy them to their hearts' content on this holiday. It's sort of like the summer version of Thanksgiving! While the latter is all about
the turkey, the former, the 4th of July, is all about the steaks, burgers, hotdogs, and the like. Fortunately, you can easily do this no matter where you are in the world. Just have a backyard and grill ready and you're good to go!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Play Ball
They say that baseball is “
America's favorite pastime“ right? So is there any better way to celebrate the American Independence Day than doing just that? If you have some free time on the 4th of July, especially if you're in a country where the holiday isn't a big deal, invite some friends and family over and play ball! Or you could just do it with you and your kid, just like how you and your dad did back in the day. That's bound to be a holiday your little one won't soon forget!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Stream The Football Game
The “
football' in this scenario is, of course, American football. Americans go gaga over this sport! It's to the point that SuperBowl Sunday every January is practically the second version of the 4th of July. And as you might expect, there's always a game airing during the American holiday of Independence. Most families just gather around the TV and watch it as their own annual celebration. But what if you're not in the States? You won't find the game anywhere on the TV, right? Fortunately, there's still the internet. Whether on YouTube or any other site, there's bound to be a livestream of the 4th of July football game!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Watch a 1940s Movie
During the 1940s, when the US was engaged in World War II, Hollywood produced countless movies to inspire and motivate Americans. Despite all the tragedies of war, these films helped lift the country's spirit, and as such, remain patriotic cult classics to this day. Of course, the best day to watch them is the 4th of July! Even when you're in a different country, classic films like “
Flying Tigers“ 1942, “
The Navy Comes Through“ (1943), and “
The Purple Heart“ (1944) are all suitable for this occasion. It's even better if you or a family member is a military veteran!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Learn About American History
Speaking of watching on the 4th of July, why not learn about history while you're at it? Thanks to a little site called YouTube, you can now easily access all sorts of documentaries, educational films, and the like that teach about the history of the US. It's a great way to spend time with your kids and let them learn during the holiday too. Just go on YouTube and you'll find countless clips about the Founding Fathers, the US during World War II, and the many political movements that shaped the country into what it is today.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Light Up Sparklers
And finally, is there any other way to end the 4th of July than lighting up sparklers? Since you're not in the US, you probably won't see the amazing fireworks display there, right? But fireworks are a huge part of the holiday. It's as if it was never the 4th of July at all if you don't have fireworks to end the day. So what will you do? Get some sparklers instead! Though if you can light up fireworks—and it's legal—you can always do that! But if not, lighting up sparklers in the backyard will do just fine!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Just because you're not in the US on this year's 4th of July, it doesn't mean you have to miss all the fun! There are plenty of ways to celebrate this amazing holiday and express your patriotism as a proud American!
