Blacklisted competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi spoke today, shedding some light on his ongoing battle with Major League Eating and describing his night in jail after bumrushing the stage at last year's Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. more ›

A few years back, Macy's pissed off pretty much all of Brooklyn and Queens by moving their annual fireworks display to the Hudson River, so Hoboken basically got the best view. Those to the east retaliated with firework parties of their own, only occasionally blowing off their own arms. A few days ago, we got a tip indicating that the show might be relocating, but today comes the official word that yet again, the fireworks will be held over the Hudson. more ›

Though he didn't die until early Monday, this stems from the Independence Day violence. Kevin Roberts of Bushwick died yesterday morning after being shot Sunday night at a 4th of July party. Roberts allegedly stepped up to a man who had slapped his female cousin during an argument, telling him, "That wasn't called for!" Roberts left the party without any further argument, but the man he fought with followed him out onto Bushwick Avenue and shot him five times in the back. Roberts was pronounced dead at Brookdale University Hospital about 2 a.m. yesterday. Roberts' fiancee told the Post, "Right now I am just trying to figure out how to explain this to [our son]." more ›

Joey Chestnut retained the Mustard Belt by eating 54 hot dogs (and buns) at Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. While Chestnut claimed a 70 hot dog record was in sight, he fell short of his record 2009 performance of 68 hot dogs consumed, when archrival Takeru Kobayashi was there to motivate him. more ›

We already gave you a comprehensive guide on the best spots to watch the Macy's 4th of July fireworks show, but what if you're one of the many New Yorkers who decided to ditch town for the holiday? Why should you be forced to watch the madness on TV? The Wall Street Journal published this guide to fireworks all over the area. We can personally vouch for a great show in Katonah, and if you somehow black out before the fireworks on the 4th you can haul ass to Rye for a belated display on the 5th. If you're still around, you can catch the early show at Wolfe's Pond Park in Staten Island. [Via Pat Kiernan's Twitter] more ›

The biggest day in competitive eating is this Sunday, when the eyes of the world turn to Coney Island for the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. They say it's been held every year since 1916, and if you've ever tried to attend, you know that it can get a tad crowded. But we're offering you and your lucky date a way around all that, with two VIP passes giving you prime seating in the media section, where the air is always sweeter and the frankfurters taste like ambrosia. more ›

This morning we took a trip out to the secret, secure location* where Macy's is loading 40,000 fireworks shells on to six enormous barges ahead of this Sunday July 4th fireworks show. We weren't allowed on to the actual barges: Apparently handling explosives involves a license from the FDNY. But we were able to snap some pictures of the pyro-techs from SoUSA loading and wiring the display, and we also got to play with a bunch of dummy shells—specially prepared to prevent bloggers from blowing themselves up! more ›

Tonight, the HudsonRiver will be the scene for this year's Macy's 4th of July Fireworks. Six barges are set up in the water between 24th and 50th Streets— at approximately 9 p.m., 45,000 shells will explode 1000 feet into the air and some will even skim the water. The best viewing spots along the Hudson (on the NYC side) are anywhere below 59th Street along 12th Avenue—but there are specific access points on 11th Avenue: 24th Street, 26th-30th Streets, 34th Street, 40th-44th Streets, 47th-52nd Streets, and 54th-57th Streets. There is very limited viewing north of 59th Street on the West Side; overall, patience is key! Here's street closure info and subway and bus travel tips from the MTA. And you can share your fireworks photographs with us by tagging them "gothamist" on Flickr or emailing us at tips(at)gothamist(dot)com . more ›

With all this rain it may not seem very much like summer out there lately, but hopefully by the 4th will be all sunshine and fireworks. Here are some old images of New York City on Independence Day, courtesy of LIFE's photo archive. Man, people really packed on to those beaches! more ›

Yesterday the top dogs of competitive eating faced off at the scales. Reigning champ Joey Chestnut and six-time winner Takeru Kobayashi were weighed in prior to their annual July 4th Nathan't Hot Dog showdown tomorrow. Chestnut, 25, came in at 218 lbs, to his 31-year-old competitor's 132 lbs. The two have faced off four times, with each taking home the belt twice, so this year will be a tie-breaker. Chestnut currently holds the world record, with his 2007 performance of eating 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes more ›

Earlier today the north end of Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint was shut down for a 4th of July parade! Allegedly the scene was being shot for a new Jennifer Aniston movie called Bounty Hunter (Miss Heather has pics of the parade preparation). They'll be filming tomorrow (from Freeman to Ash Street) as well, and there are promises of explosions, chases and even Bette Midler! Sadly though, even Hollywood won't be able to bring the 4th Fireworks to the East River this year. more ›

After serving tours in the Middle East, it was a Brooklyn backyard barbecue that proved deadly for Sergeant Kidson George. The 26-year-old man was gunned down on the porch of a Crown Heights home where he was celebrating the 4th of July with his girlfriend and others. George was shot twice in the chest by his girlfriend's former boyfriend, sending children screaming and dashing for cover. more ›

"spectacular" by i'mjustsayin on flickr more ›

Who better to celebrate the rich tapestry and diversity of America than the Muppets? They can be seen above performing a rousing rendition of 'Stars and Stripes Forever' in their own inimitable style. If one is watching the fireworks this evening, we suggest using this video as a simulcast audio addition. more ›

New Yorkers have an additional reason to celebrate the 4th of July: The date also marks the emancipation of slaves and abolition of slavery in New York in 1827. Though the state legislature passed prior laws with the goal of gradually emancipating slaves, they were open to abuse. In 1817, the legislature decreed that slavery in New York State and the City was forbidden as of Independence Day, 1827. According to The Encyclopedia of New York, the practice was not completely banished until 1841, when non-residents were forbidden from holding slaves for more than nine months. (The New York Historical Society ran an exhibit on slavery in New York in 2005.) more ›