Through The Years: How America Spent The 4th of July (Pics From The 19th Century Onward)

Fire cracker: This little child looks excited by the promise of a fireworks display in 1906

 

By Jessica Jerreat 

The fashions may have changed but the way Americans celebrate July 4 has not, as this series of photographs from 1900 to the 1960s show.

Fireworks, parades and family picnics will be held across the country today as the U.S. celebrates breaking away from the UK in 1776.

Celebrations being held to celebrate 237 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed will resemble those from previous decades, as Americans get out their barbecues and flags to mark Independence Day.

On parade: Children take part in a festival through the streets of their hometown in 1919

Purr-fect patriot: A cat dressed as Uncle Sam in 1956 looks like he is singing the Star Spangled Banner

Since becoming a federal holiday in 1870, July 4 has become a chance for family and friends to enjoy a summer break.

John Adams, who later became the second President of the U.S. wrote that Independence Day should be celebrated with 'pomp and parade, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other'.

As these photographs show, his hopes were realized, with fireworks being a prominent feature in celebrations from the turn of the century.

Dressed up: Uncle Sam and cowboy costumes are popular choices for this 1941 parade in Vale, Oregon

Celebration: These little girls in California are wearing their best white dresses as they wave flags in 1905

Stars and stripes: These girls turned to the flag for inspiration for their parade dresses in 1919

High note: A marching band leads the festivities through a packed street in Pennsylvania in 1960

Mad hatters: In this July 4 parade in 1895 men marched through the streets wearing top hats

Waiting game: A group of small children holding flags wait with their mothers for the parade to pass in 1905

Party time: Plenty of drink is flowing at this July 4 gathering on a porch in 1894

Show stopper: Silver screen star Gloria Shea appears as Uncle Sam in a West Coast celebration in 1932

Lady liberty: Young friends add ribbons and flags to their dresses for a 1905 celebration

Picnics: July 4 was a popular excuse to enjoy the great outdoors with friends in 1915, above, and 1929, below

Pomp: Dignitaries line up for the official opening of New York's Tammany Hall, timed to coincide with the 153rd anniversary of Independence Day, in 1929

Having a blast: Child actor Jackie Cooper loads up on fireworks for a July 4 party in the 1930s

Rocket man: Two boys poke at a rocket as they wait for the evening's fireworks display in the 1900s

Light fantastic: Actress and wife of Hopalong Cassidy, Grace Bradley, sparkles in this 1933 picture

Beach party: The cast of The Great Ziegfeld soak up the sun and the sand in 1936

Pride: This young boy salutes as his flag flutters in the breeze in 1940

Family gathering: Women hold up a flag as two young boys pose in front of it in 1945

Off to the party: This little girl hitches a lift on her friend's tricycle as they ride around their block in 1963

Freedom: This boy breaks into a huge grin as he flies his American flag themed kite at the water's edge

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