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In Pictures: 7 places to reflect on Independence Day
By Tom Adkinson
June 28, 2024
The Fourth of July is the identity-setting celebratory holiday for the United States, and Americans are fortunate to have many places to wave Old Glory, think about ancestors who sacrificed for the nation, consider how they can participate as citizens and enjoy a grilled hamburger or hotdog – or perhaps both. Images of notable Independence Day destinations are seared into the collective consciousness of the nation, if not the world. Here are seven that are scattered around the country.
Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia
Fourth of July fireworks explode over the Governor’s Palace at Colonial Williamsburg, the world’s largest U.S. history museum. It encompasses 301 acres of the original city, 89 original building, 515 reconstructed building, plus modern museums, lodging and restaurants. Image by Darnell Vennie/Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
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Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor
"The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World,” a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States, is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on Oct. 28, 1886, and was designated as a National Monument in 1924. The National Park Service has cared for the colossal copper statue since 1933. Image by Tom Adkinson
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Freedom Trail in Boston
Every step of the 2.5-mile-long Freedom Trail tells a story of the creation of the United States from a patchwork of British colonies. It includes museums, churches (such as the Old North Church shown here), meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship and historic markers galore. Image by Tom Adkinson
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Mount Rushmore in South Dakota
The Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota symbolizes the birth, growth, development and preservation of the U.S. as represented by four presidents – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Flags of the 50 states frame the famous faces. Image by Tom Adkinson
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USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii
The USS Arizona is the most well-known aspect of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii. The white structure that spans the battleship sunk on Dec. 7, 1941, is a place to reflect on an important event in world history and how the U.S. responded. Image by Tom Adkinson
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U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The gleaming dome of the U.S. Capitol rises over the meeting spaces of the nation’s legislature, Congress. The Capitol has a compelling history of its own. Construction began in 1793, and in 1800, Congress, the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court moved in. It was attacked and burned by the British during the War of 1812 and was attacked again on Jan. 6, 2021. Image by Tom Adkinson
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A block party near you
Neighborhood and family celebrations of Independence Day are vital to the fabric of many communities. The street party on Whitland Avenue in Nashville, Tenn., features a parade, music from members of the Nashville Symphony and a recitation of the Declaration of Independence. Image by Tom Adkinson
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Trip-planning resources:
(Travel writer Tom Adkinson’s book, 100 Things To Do in Nashville Before You Die, is available on Amazon.com. |
