🎆 Fireworks & Flags: The 4th of July and National Holidays in the English-Speaking World

James Batchelor
Jul 2
4 min read

If you’ve ever watched a summer scene with flags, hot dogs, and fireworks in the U.S., it was probably the 4th of July—Independence Day.

In this article, we’ll explore this big American celebration and compare it with France’s 14 juillet. You’ll also discover how Canada, Australia, and Ireland celebrate their own special national holidays. And to make it fun, I've add a few weird or funny facts about the 4th of July! 🤓🎉

⭐ Vocabulary Boost

Match the word to its definition.

Word	Definition
Fireworks	A. A formal statement of ideas and rights
Independence	B. The state of being free from control
National holiday	C. A special day celebrated by a country
Barbecue	D. A meal cooked outside on a grill
Declaration	E. A bright light and sound show in the sky
Colonies	F. Territories controlled by another country

✔️ Correct Matches

1 → E2 → B3 → C4 → D5 → A6 → F

🇺🇸 The 4th of July: A Short History

The Fourth of July is Independence Day in the United States.In 1776, thirteen colonies (now states) decided to become independent from the British Empire. The leaders wrote a powerful document called the Declaration of Independence, which explained their decision and their vision of freedom and equality. 🇺🇸

Since then, Americans have celebrated this day every year. For many people, it’s a time to feel proud, be with family, and enjoy summer fun.

How Americans Celebrate

Here are some classic ways people celebrate:

🎆 Fireworks shows in the evening
🍔 Barbecues with burgers, hot dogs, and corn on the cob
🎶 Music and parades in cities and towns
👕 Wearing red, white, and blue (the colors of the flag)
🏞️ Picnics in the park or by the lake
🏛️ Visiting historical places like Philadelphia or Washington, D.C.

🤪 Quirky Facts about the 4th of July

Let’s make it fun! Here are some strange or surprising facts:

Hot Dogs Galore 🌭: On July 4th, Americans eat about 150 million hot dogs—enough to stretch from D.C. to Los Angeles more than 5 times!
Presidential Coincidence 🎩: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two of the most famous American leaders, both died on July 4, 1826—exactly 50 years after the Declaration!
A Bell That Doesn’t Ring 🔔: The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is too old and cracked to ring. So every year, it is symbolically “tapped” 13 times, once for each original colony.
Places Named “Freedom”🗺️: There’s a city or town called Freedom in almost every U.S. state!
Exploding Records 💥: The largest firework ever launched was over 1 ton (almost 1000 kg!) and exploded over Colorado in 2020.

🇫🇷 The 14th of July in France (Bastille Day)

In France, the national holiday is on July 14th. It celebrates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, which marked the start of the French Revolution.

Like the American Independence Day, this day celebrates freedom, change, and the people’s power.

Here’s how people celebrate in France:

🎉 Fireworks shows in cities like Paris and Marseille
🥐 Picnics with family and friends
🇫🇷 Military parades, especially the famous one on the Champs-Élysées in Paris
🕺 Fireman’s Balls (public dances at local fire stations!)

🧾 Compare the Two Holidays

France 🇫🇷	USA 🇺🇸
14th of July (Bastille Day)	4th of July (Independence Day)
Revolution against monarchy	Independence from England
Military parades	Fireworks and barbecues
French Revolution begins	Declaration of Independence signed
Focus on unity and equality	Focus on freedom and rights

Both countries celebrate the power of the people—just with different stories and styles!

🌏 National Holidays Around the English-Speaking World

Let’s look at how other English-speaking countries celebrate their national days:

🇨🇦 Canada Day – July 1st

Celebrates the creation of Canada as a country in 1867.People wear red and white, wave Canadian flags, and enjoy fireworks and music.

🇦🇺 Australia Day – January 26th

Marks the arrival of the British in 1788.Some people celebrate with barbecues and beach parties, but others see it as a day of mourning. It’s becoming a conversation topic in the country.

🇳🇿 Waitangi Day (New Zealand) – February 6th

Remembers the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between Māori leaders and the British.It’s both a celebration and a moment of reflection about history and culture.

🇮🇪 St. Patrick’s Day – March 17th

A holiday from Ireland, now celebrated worldwide!People wear green 🍀, enjoy Irish music, and sometimes drink Guinness—even outside of Ireland.

🧠 Reading Comprehension

Answer the following questions in complete sentences:

What happened in the U.S. in 1776?
How do Americans celebrate Independence Day?
Why is July 14th important in France?
What is one unusual or surprising fact about the 4th of July?
Choose one national holiday from another country. What did you learn about it?

Bonus: What do “freedom” and “independence” mean to you?

Answers

What happened in the U.S. in 1776?→ In 1776, the United States declared its independence from the British Empire by signing the Declaration of Independence.
How do Americans celebrate Independence Day?→ Americans celebrate with fireworks, barbecues, parades, music, and by wearing red, white, and blue.
Why is July 14th important in France?→ July 14th is important in France because it marks the storming of the Bastille in 1789, which began the French Revolution.
What is one unusual or surprising fact about the 4th of July?→ One surprising fact is that two U.S. presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, died on the same day—July 4th, 1826.
Choose one national holiday from another country. What did you learn about it?→ On Canada Day (July 1st), people celebrate the founding of Canada with music, fireworks, and by wearing red and white.

🎯 Practice on Your Own

Internet Challenge:Search for videos on YouTube with the title “Why do Americans celebrate the 4th of July?” 📝 Take notes on 3 things you learn. Write a short paragraph about what surprised you.

🎧 Optional song: Listen to “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus (simple lyrics and very American vibes). Write down 3 words or phrases you recognize.

🗣️ Reflect & Share

✨ Think about your country’s national holiday.What do people do?How does it compare to the U.S., France, or Canada?

Now You: Would you like to celebrate the 4th of July in the U.S.? Why or why not?