The Fourth of July is one of the most intensely celebrated legal holidays in the United States. On this day in 1776, the country declared itself independent of England. Throughout the nation, firecrackers can be heard going off everywhere and displays of fireworks are held. Bands play patriotic marches in big parades and political figures make speeches on America’s liberty and the country’s ideals. Air Force planes perform acrobatics in the sky and New York’s Empire State Building lights up with the colors of the american flag: red, white and blue.