在美国，很多美国人早早就开始庆祝7月4日独立日，星期五休息享受长周末假期。
星期五，银行和联邦机构关门，很多政府服务缩减。
华盛顿特区、纽约和其它城市星期六将燃放壮观的国庆烟火。但是由于经济危机，很多小城镇被迫取消或者大幅度减少庆祝活动。
1776年7月4日，来自最早的13个美洲殖民地的代表正式宣布脱离英国而独立。奥巴马总统星期六将同军人家属一道在白宫庆祝独立日。
公共广播电台和国家公园管理局星期六将在美国国会山前举行免费的音乐会。表演者包括歌手马尼洛和富兰克林。歌手们星期五将向观众献上一场彩排。
纽约的康尼岛将于7月4日举行每年一度的著名的吃热狗大赛。届时ESPN体育电视网将向全国转播。
Many Americans are getting an early start to the July 4 Independence Day holiday in the United States, with a day off of work to enjoy the long holiday weekend.
Banks and federal offices are closed and many government services curtailed Friday.
Washington D.C. and New York are among the cities that will have spectacular fireworks displays on Saturday. However, many small towns have been forced to scrap or dramatically scale back their celebrations because of the economic crisis.
The holiday marks the day on July 4, 1776, that delegates from the 13 original American colonies officially declared independence from Britain. President Barack Obama will celebrate Saturday with a Fourth of July event at the White House accompanied by military families.
The Public Broadcasting Service and the National Park Service will hold a free gala concert Saturday in front of the U.S. Capitol building. The performers, who include singers Barry Manilow and Aretha Franklin, are treating spectators Friday to a full concert dress rehearsal.
And New York’s Coney Island holds its famed hot dog eating contest every year on the Fourth of July. The eat-off is broadcast nationally on the ESPN sports TV network.