Independence Day is quickly approaching and people in the metropolitan area have different plans.
Becky May, 19, will be headed home to New Jersey for the summer holiday. May does not decorate or buy fireworks for the celebration.
While May is not a native Washingtonian, she “knows it’s hectic” on the National Mall and will be watching fireworks from a beach in New Jersey.
Nicole Narvaez is going to the National Mall to watch the fireworks display, which includes over 6,500 shells, according to the National Park Service.
July 4 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Wayne Huang courtesy of Creative Commons)
The National Mall will be enclosed with over 18,000 linear feet of fencing and have 350 portable toilets to accommodate the thousands of people that attend the display each year.
Dominic Gatti, 20, thinks the Fourth of July is more of a celebration and party than anything else.
“I’m going to my frat party then probably to the Mall for fireworks,” said Gatti.
Narvaez “might be celebrating with friends,” and believes the holiday is about both celebration and remembrance.
Nadine Hallak plans to attend a barbecue with friends on the fourth. She will be watching the National Mall fireworks on television this year.
Picnics, family reunions and BBQs are great ways to celebrate July 4, but the holiday carries the label of the most dangerous of the year, according to the National Safety Council.
Additionally, celebrations in big cities like Washington, D.C. strike fear into many tourists and residents in the wake of such high-profile terrorism incidents like the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013. The National Park Service on Fourth of July at the National Mall increased security screenings before allowing visitors inside.
“I haven’t felt as safe at big events like the celebration on the Mall recently as I have in the past considering what’s been happening worldwide,” said Katie Lenz, 24.
Even with what some see as a threat at major events like the National Mall Fourth of July celebration, fireworks and drunk driving over the holiday weekend are major threats, according National Safety Council.
In 2015, the National Safety Council estimated 409 traffic-related deaths and over 49,000 traffic-related injuries requiring medical attention over the holiday weekend.
The National Safety Council recommends drivers buckle up, reduce speed, refrain from cell phone use, keep small children in the back seat and avoid driving after drinking.
“During the 4th of July, I try to stay off the roads because I know how many accidents are gonna happen that night,” said Marisa Calderon, a 35-year-old mother of two.
Driving isn’t the only risk.
Over the July Fourth holiday, an average of 230 people every day will visit emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Almost one third of those injuries are to hands and fingers, but the Commission reported serious burns and eye injuries also happen.
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Excitement looms around American University’s campus as students and faculty prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July in Washington, D.C., some for the first time.
While living in the nation’s capital this summer, many students are trying to take advantage of the activities that the city has to offer for the Fourth of July, including seeing the 17-minute fireworks display on the National Mall.
“I am thinking about going to the Mall and hangout,” AU junior Olivia Hoppe said. “I am going with friends, whoever is still in D.C.”
Every year, the National Park Service holds a celebration of Independence Day at the National Mall. According to the National Park Service website, the events this year include the Folklife Festival, a concert by the U.S. Navy Band, a Fourth of July parade, as well as one of the largest firework displays in the country.
With the installation of 18,000 feet of chain link fence, 14,000 feet of bike rack, and almost 350 portable toilets throughout the Mall, according to the NPS website, large crowds are expected to participate in the festivities this year.
But that massive crowd won’t include Mike Ridley, a 34-year-old AU employee.
Ridley, who works for Fire and Life Safety, is looking forward to a more simple celebration.
“There is going to be a big cook out, kegs, beer, and fireworks,” Ridley said. “I am going to be spending it with friends and family.”
Although Independence Day was originally created to celebrate the 13 colonies declaring their independence from England, people from other countries, such as a 34-year-old native from Ghana, still take part in this Fourth of July holiday.
“I am going to have fun and am going out with friends,” said Festus Allotey, an AU library staff member. “I am worried about traffic. You have to time what time you want to leave.”
While Allotey originally migrated from Ghana, he still has family around the D.C. area he visits around the Fourth of July.
While working on a project for a summer leadership program, 17-year-old Kristine Luna described her hometown traditions.
In her hometown of McAllen, Texas, local businesses and organizations help the city in running a community parade, with activities including video games and dancing, which Luna has previously participated in with her summer dance camp. Everyone at the parade then goes to the town high school to watch the fireworks display.
Luna is currently a student at the National Student Leadership Conference for Journalism, Film, and Media Arts, a program focused on the development of leadership and individual interests in the field of communication of high school students from all over the country.
For Brenda Vega, a 16-year-old from Los Angeles in Washington, D.C. for the NSLC program, this is her first time in the city celebrating Independence Day.
“I am looking forward to the fireworks because I usually watch them on T.V.,” Vega said. “But now I get to experience them up close and everybody feels the same emotion as they watch.”
Lee France, an AU junior from New York, will spend July Fourth with friends.
WASHINGTON– People on American University’s campus are planning to exercise their patriotism with traditional and nontraditional activities for the Fourth of July this year.
Imani Muleyyar, a media production assistant at AU, is taking a slightly different approach this holiday. Muleyyar plans to travel to Baltimore, Maryland to visit family and box and kick box with friends. He explained that any day he’s off work, he and his friends use to train for boxing.
Though he enjoys athletics, Muleyyar expressed the importance of family time on this day.
“It’s good to be around happy people,” Muleyyar said.
The owner of an on-campus hair salon and spa, TIGI Boutique, Taher Kahel, is trying something new on America’s birthday this year.
Taher Kahel, owner of TIGI Boutique on American University’s campus. Photo by Courtney Allen
Kahel is participating in traditional firework watching of the National Mall festivities, but is watching them from a rooftop with friends. Though he is Tunisian born, he has been in America for half his life, and happily celebrates Independence Day every year by hanging out with friends and family and going to festive parties. Kahel joyfully punched his fist when answering if Tunisia’s Independence Day is as exciting as America’s.
“Of course it’s, exciting. We beat the French!” replied Kahel.
Kahel thoroughly enjoys the Fourth of July here with the same excitement.
“I think it’s a happy holiday, Independence Day,” said Kahel.
Amrong Chey, a Cambodian-American, said she will be participating in the typical activities for Independence Day this year by going to cook outs and watching the fireworks. She also spoke about the similar day held in Cambodia for the country.
“Everyone gets together with family and friends to celebrate the country,” Chey said
It is clear to see that no matter where people are from, America or outside of America, they still excitedly participate in Independence Day each year.
July Fourth fireworks on the National Mall. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.
WASHINGTON– With the anticipation building for the upcoming Fourth of July festivities, people in Washington D.C. are also preparing for the incoming traffic from tourists and visitors.
Road closures will be in place starting as early as Thursday night around the Washington monuments where an estimated 700,000 are expected to show up to watch the grand spectacle of fireworks that take place yearly in our Nation’s capitol.
Many will visit the National Mall, where fireworks will start at 9:10 p.m. on July 4, according to the National Park Service website.
The National Mall, being one of the most popular spots in Washington, D.C. for viewing the fireworks is expected to be packed and crowded and many at American University will avoid Fourth of July traffic by skipping firework viewings near Capitol Hill and downtown.
Mary Spanarkel, a New Jersey native, who was used to celebrating the Fourth of July on the beach back home, will steer clearly of the “super touristy” spots like the National Mall by hanging out with friends.
Eva Gates, who works as a receptionist at American University and moved from Long Island, will avoid the heavy traffic by going home for the holiday where she will enjoy barbecue with her family and friends on the beach.
Festus Allaotey, who was born and raised in Ghana, has been an employee at American University for two years, will not go out and plans to “stay in and watch on TV instead.”
Despite traffic, Washington, D.C. remains a favorite in places to experience America’s Independence Day for students attending summer programs at American University.
Celine Castronuovo,16, from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, is participating in NSLC and is spending her first Fourth of July in the nation’s capitol.
“I am looking forward to being able to look out my window and watch the fireworks and I’ve been watching them on TV forever and now I have the chance to actually see them in person, ” Castronuovo said.
An American flag flies on AU’s campus the week of July Fourth. Photo by Madison Hoffman
American University faculty and staff will be celebrating the Fourth of July this Friday with their friends.
University librarian Olivia Ivey plans to attend a cookout with her friends, and later, a fireworks-viewing party. Usually, her family visits D.C. to celebrate, but this year they will be postponing their visit until Ivey’s wedding later in the year.
Rebekah Johnson, a recent American University graduate and new staff member, hopes to do the same.
First thing in the morning on Friday will be brunch with a group of her friends, complete with special Fourth of July pancakes. In the evening, she’ll be going to a friend’s house near the National Mall to see the fireworks.
Back home in Dallas, Johnson usually spends time with her church group to celebrate the holiday, viewing fireworks and attending soccer games. This year, she’ll be among the revelers at one of the nation’s largest fireworks displays, according to the National Park Service website.
Leanza Bethel, a receptionist at the Leonard Hall dormitory, is planning to attend the Capitol Fourth program on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, a memorable event combining musical performances with a fireworks display. Fireworks, she said, are her favorite part of the Fourth of July.
Before Bethel came to Washington D.C., she celebrated the holiday by attending the family gathering and barbecue that her parents held.
This year is Charlotte Vogler’s first living in Washington, D.C., and she’s looking forward to celebrating her favorite holiday in the capital. As an AU receptionist, she will be working part of the day, but afterwards plans to see the fireworks at the U.S. Capitol with her friends.
When she spends the Fourth of July holiday with her family, sometimes the celebrations get a little more hands on.
“Usually we go to the mountains and set off our own fireworks,” Vogler said.
Erica Rush reflected on Fourth of July memories. Photo by Kayla Calhoun
WASHINGTON- Many American University summer students and faculty members shared their favorite Fourth of July memories as they prepared for one of the country’s most celebrated holidays.
Liam Toohey, an American University library employee, is planning on visiting a friend’s house and going to a local park to watch fireworks. Toohey’s favorite part about going to the park last year was watching the fireworks from the top of a hill.
“If you get up far enough, you can see around the surrounding areas,” Toohey said.
Toohey’s favorite memory of the Fourth of July is when he and his friends got stuck in traffic on their way to see a fireworks show.
“When I was 21, we got stuck on the Baltimore Beltway and everyone decided to get out of their cars and watch from there,” Toohey said.
John Douglass, a Washington D.C. native and AU School of Communication professor, remembers watching the National Mall fireworks from the Ellipse, a piece of land in front of the White House.
“I enjoyed hearing the reverberation of the fireworks off the Commerce Department,” Douglass said.
While many may have fond memories of the Fourth of July, some memories remind families to be careful, especially around fireworks.
“We tried to light a sparkler and it popped on me and I got burned,” said Shannon Kamara, who works at the AU Bookstore.
Erica Rush had a similar dangerous experience.
“When we were watching fireworks, my cousin decided to jump off the ledge and landed on his face,” Rush said.
Along with watching fireworks and spending time with friends and family, barbeques are also a popular way to celebrate the Fourth of July and bring back some of the best memories, Kamara said.
“We have barbeques and let the kids watch the fireworks,” Kamara said. “The food doesn’t matter, as long as it is off the grill.”
Overall, D.C residents look forward to making new memories during their Fourth of July celebrations on Friday.
“I like the idea that we get a chance to come together and enjoy the idea of America instead of the ideology,” Toohey said.
WASHINGTON—Teenagers at American University’s summer programs are looking forward to celebrating the Fourth of July in the city but some are missing the traditions of the holiday from their hometowns.
For many, July Fourth is not about the birth of the country but rather being around family and celebrating American freedom. For those interviewed on campus this week, including students and staff in the National Student Leadership Conference program, they’re away from those traditions for the first time but still get to celebrate patriotism.
Spencer Cox, 18, from Los Angeles, said Independence Day has become “an overwhelming symbol of American patriotism.”
Spencer Cox sits outside of McKinley
In Cox’s hometown, he has gone to the local high school to watch the fireworks. A few times Cox would use party poppers to have his own mini fireworks.
“I would have fun with it,” said Cox, who noted the poppers aren’t dangerous.
Cox continued of the holiday, “It isn’t celebrated for what it actually is, which is the founding of our country.”
Rachael Packard’s mother is in the United States Air Force band and gets to sing the National Anthem in their hometown.
“It is kind of weird to see her up there, but it is cool to see her sing up there year after year,” Packard said.
She continued, “It is neat to see everyone so patriotic especially after the big World Cup loss.”
Chris Black’s, 17, household has a big celebration. Black’s family likes to think of it as a birthday party for the birth of the nation.
“We have a party like a birthday party,” Black said. “We eat cake, watch Independence Day.”
Recently Black traveled to the Philippines and witnessed firsthand the differences in terms of freedom, liberty, and democracy.
“We saw how different life is there, they don’t have the same freedoms that we in the United States have,” Black said.
He said that as the Fourth of July nears that we have to value our independence and celebrate our country as it is not like this everywhere and that we are lucky to live in such a great country.
“We have to remember our founding fathers for standing up for what they believed in and founding our great country,” Black said.
WASHINGTON–People of all ages at American University are celebrating the Fourth of July with some excited and others indifferent.
For some people Fourth of July is a big deal. Laura Dmesey, 49, works at the Subway on campus. Dmesey plans on partaking in a cookout with her family in Maryland. Instead of watching fireworks at the National Mall, she’s buying her own to set off in the backyard.
Some people have different ways of celebrating. A student at AU, biting an apple by the front desk in Anderson Hall, said she was excited to crash at her friend’s house in the city. Nineteen-year-old, Barbara Martinez, is a rising sophomore from Northern Virginia and is ready to get off work to tour the Capital and relax in the heat.
Martinez, for example, believes that the Fourth of July is a time to celebrate American pride, nationality and egotism. Others see the great holiday as nothing more than a excuse to party. In fact according to 15-year-old New Jersey native, Ashley Fowler, July Fourth is one of America’s drunkest holidays.
“I feel that it’s like a fun holiday, but I don’t actually find it to be that important,” Fowler said.
Brendan Ryan, 17, was sitting at the Starbucks waiting to get picked up by his family. For him, Fourth of July is just another day. He normally spends his time with his family, watching the fireworks, and eating food. Ryan says that for him, Independence Day is no big deal, just a silly tradition.
Assistant Director of Discover the World of Communication Tony Cohn begs to differ. Cohn, 21, has always thought of our nation’s birthday as a “patriotic holiday,” a time when everyone of every race can get together to celebrate unity and tradition.
Every year Cohn takes the students of DWC to the National Mall, in front of the Lincoln Memorial. There, they do it all: from playing soccer on the grass, to visiting museums.
“It’s a fun Washington D.C. experience,” Cohn said.
Here in D.C. visiting the National Mall seems to be the most popular thing to do, according to those interviewed Wednesday. Hundreds of thousands of people visit the mall each year to watch the closing fireworks. It’s an all day event and many of the monuments close before 5 p.m. That way people have more room to camp out.
“You can’t see the ground because of so many people,” Cohn explained. “There’s so much energy that’s so crazy, it’s indescribable.
You’re celebrating the nation’s birthday at the nation’s capital on the national mall. There’s something so special and so much novelty behind that.”
