On Monday America celebrates Independence Day with fireworks and barbecues and beer, but according to a new Marist Poll one in four Americans don't even know what country America declared its independence from. And only 58 percent of residents know that the U.S. broke off in 1776. U.S.A.! 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 ›

It's July 4th, on which we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence (transcript) and the colonies' independence from Great Britain in 1776. And here's that famous opening:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 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 ›

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 ›

John Adams once wrote to his wife Abigail, "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival." July 2nd? The authors of Inside the Apple remind us that America actually declared its independence from Great Britain today. Before you clock out, however, they also add that "only 12 of the 13 original colonies had voted to declare independence on July 2—the delegates from the thirteenth colony, New York, did not feel they had been invested with such power and retreated from Philadelphia to discuss their options. Meanwhile, on July 4, the Continental Congress agreed to print the Declaration." On July 9th a copy arrived here, where George Washington's troops were stationed, and it was on that day that New York agreed to be the thirteenth and final colony to declare independence. And yes, this totally means we should celebrate Independence Week from July 2nd to 9th! Someone draft a petition, it's what Thomas Jefferson would have done. In the meantime, check out the Beach Boys rocking Central Park on July 2nd, 1967. more ›

Independence Day is turning out humid and gray. There will be an occasional light shower this afternoon and a pretty good chance for showers or thunderstorms this evening. You can probably make it through the Feelies/Sonic Youth show without getting too wet, but it would be a good idea to bring an umbrella if you're going to see the fireworks this evening. more ›

Celebrate the extension of the vendors' permit through the end of their season in October and add on extra festivities for Mexican and Central American Independence Day. Caesar Fuentes, the organizing force behind the vendors, promises that "the food vendors committee will host a livelier than usual weekend event - more soccer games, pinatas, music, and a 2 day art exhibit featuring photographs taken by the food vendors." Sounds good to us. more ›

Indeed, "ridiculous" is the first word that popped into our heads when reading today's article in the Staten Island Advance. Police arrested 19 people in the Independence Day incident and issued summonses to another 11 individuals. When police arrived at 23 Fillmore St. on Staten Island, the homeowner slammed the door on the leg of Inspector Richard Bruno. Eventually, five police officers would be injured in the brawl with partygoers. more ›

This week's weather looks like it will be a half-baked repeat of last week's weather. It won't be nearly as warm but the same general progression will take place. The combination of air mass size and speed of mid-latitude atmospheric circulation this time of year often yields a roughly weekly repeat of summer weather patterns. more ›

Williamsburg's state park sort of opened back in May, with weekend-only entry times. The park will go full time starting July 3rd, just in time for the following days fireworks. There will be plenty of time to stake out some precious real estate for the extravaganza too, as the park will open at 10am on Wednesday. more ›

What with Paris Hilton's release earlier this week and the upcoming celebration of American Independence (sorry, Londonist!), we've been thinking a lot about freedom. Freedom to vote, freedom to choose, and most importantly, freedom to blog. Here are a few things we're happy we've been free to blog about this week. more ›

Earlier this year, I Am Legend, the latest Will Smith extravaganza took over the Brooklyn Bridge. Warner Bros. spent around $5,000,000 for a 6 night shoot in New York, after getting approval from 14 government agencies, with hundreds of extras, including 160 members of the National Guard in full combat gear. more ›

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Yesterday's July 4th celebrations went off without a hitch. The rain managed to stay away during the display and New Yorkers got to enjoy the biggest fireworks show in the world. Smiley face and rolling dice fireworks were in display, but in our book, the coolest fireworks were the ones that looked like jellyfish swimming around. This year's display was themed "It's About U.S." and the New York Pops played state-and-city themed songs, as well as songs that mentioned the 300 million U.S. citizens and the usual songs you hear during July 4th (Stars and Stripes Forever, etc.). And if you watched the NBC Fireworks show, you would have had musical performances from Bo Bice, Nick Lachey, Lionel Richie, and Liza Minnelli to make up for not really being there. Yeah, waiting out with thousands of other New Yorkers might well be the better option. more ›

With rapper Lil' Kim getting sprung from jail early yesterday morning, it was the perfect "Independence Day" cover for the city's two tabloids. However, the Post and Daily News decided to diverge in how to handle the news: The Post's headline - and story - focused on the former in-shape rapper's heftier post-prison physique while the Daily News' headline just notes her boobies. The Post is, naturally, more vicious (though the story does have Lil' Kim acknowledging how she needs to lose weight) and the Daily News' "Kim Busts Out" is just more fun. Advantage: Daily News, especially since the Post cover just looks like a terrible angle. more ›

Everywhere but here, that is. Even though we had enough rain since Saturday to surpass 1922 as the tenth wettest June ever, the city did not get nearly as much rain as expected. Locations immediately around the city got more rain than us and up to a foot of rain fell in Delaware and Maryland, causing some communities to evacuate. Rain continues today. As the National Weather Service states in their discussion "…juicy airmass will continue to be the focus for showers..." Gothamist loves juicy airmasses! Once again, though, the heaviest rains will mostly stay to the west of the city. more ›

8:30PM - Heads to the screening at the Ziegfeld (141 West 54th Street)There's always a chance the itinerary will change now that it's out, but really, this is like him just posing in one of the trains at the Transit Museum - cheap! They'll probably stock the car full of Scientologists so it looks like a regular subway. more ›

Sylka and John, Flag Makers more ›

This weekend seems to be all about the music. Outside, in parks, on rooftops. It'll be everywhere, and here is where we would be if we were you... more ›

July 3-4: Prix Fixe Menue at Barmarché more ›

The BBC reports that Warburtons graciously asked 2,000 filmgoers what the cheesiest movie lines were, and their answers are this: more ›

September 16th is Mexican Independence Day, and today's New York Post offers you several options for celebrating. In addition to serving chiles en nogada, a traditional dish of a stuffed green chili with white walnut sauce garnished in pomegranate (highlighting the colors of the Mexican flag), several spots are offering special prix fixe menus and live mariachi music: more ›

Sunday, scores of Americans were celebrating Independence Day, but Greeks we all watching the European Championships finals. Greece was a 100-1 long-shot to win the tournament, but pulled off a miracle. They defeated heavily favored, and host country, Portugal, 1-0. Greece was at 100-1 for good reason. Entering the tournament, they had never won a game in major competitions. more ›

The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.

On May 28th, the new Roland Emmerich film "The Day After Tomorrow" hits theaters, and it's already got NASA and NOAA talking. The film is the story of the new Ice Age. A paleoclimatologist (a scientist who studies the ways weather patterns changed in the past), tries to save the world from the effects of global warming... The plot focusses on New York, but the entire world is experiencing catastrophic hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tidal waves, and floods while the temperature suddenly drops severely. more ›

It's July 4th, Independence Day. There are lots of activities in the city, but the highlight is Macy's Fireworks over the East River. This year's fireworks display is called "Lights of Freedom." According to information from Macy's, the display will have 50,000 shells, which means 1,600 shells per minute. And the Macy's Fireworks show uses 55 times more fireworks than the average US fireworks display. more ›

I can understand why they light the building up blue and white for Greek Independence Day, but what is "Equal Parents Day" and why is the Empire State Building lit blue and red for it? Empire State Building : Official Internet Site [via Megnut] more ›

, with characters who wonder if this is what life is. Granted, that question is one that is generally asked a number of times in a book, but you know what I mean. more ›