July 4, 1776 marks the day of American Independence from the fetters of Great Britain. Every year the
Americans celebrate the day to commemorate the free spirit that made their nation "land of the free and
home of the brave". The celebration at the
Capitol in Washington, DC is a spectacular event and with all
its fireworks and parades it definitely demands attention.
There is no better place to celebrate the day than the capital. Public access to the
National Mall begins
at 10 am. The day starts with the parade at around 11 am along the Constitutional Avenue and 7th to 17th
streets. It features marching bands, military and specialty units, floats, and VIP's. The parade is
witnessed by a large crowd.
The
National Archives celebrates the Independence Day with special family programming. The National
Archives Building is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The
White House Visitor Center is open from 10 am to 3pm
to sample the sights, sounds, activities and personages that helped in the Declaration of Independence.
On the West Lawn of
Capitol Building a live concert is conducted by the National Symphony Orchestra and
several pop artists performing patriotic music. It is free and open to everyone. The admittance begins at
5pm and the program starts around 8pm. The annual event is broadcast live on PBS. The program is followed
by spectacular fireworks at dark around 9:15 pm.
Public transportation is strongly recommended for the parking near the mall is limited. Metro service is
available at its regular hours from 7am until midnight. Nearby stations are Metro Center, Gallery
Place-Chinatown, Judiciary Square,
Federal Triangle and L'Enfant Plaza. The
Smithsonian Metro remains
closed for security reasons.
To maintain security and safety, visitors are made to pass through checkpoints to enter the National
Mall. All coolers, backpacks, packages, containers and persons are subject to inspection. Alcoholic
beverages, glass bottles, fireworks and personal grills are not allowed.
This is indeed a great way to spend the day with serious patriotism blended with enjoyment to suit the
mood of the happy-go-lucky Americans.
