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.”
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.