People gather along Main Street to watch fireworks while celebrating Independence Day on July 04, 2021 in Sweetwater, Tennessee.
This July 4th, freedom rang a little louder than last Independence Day. Well, the fireworks did at least.
Blasts of flashy pyrotechnics across the country marked something of a return to normal, a year after the coronavirus pandemic dampened most Fourth festivities.
But on America's 245th birthday, there was perhaps even more reason to celebrate in the name of freedom. About half of Americans are fully vaccinated against the virus, lockdowns have been lifted and infections remain relatively low in the U.S.
Mark Makela / Getty Images
/
Getty Images
Independence Day fireworks erupt over the Philadelphia Art Museum on July 4, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
With masks largely shed at Sunday's fireworks displays, the awe spread across spectators' faces was that much more visible.
At the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., officials welcomed back crowds to the National Mall for a viewing of the annual fireworks show. Nearby, President Biden hosted 1,000 medical workers, first responders, essential workers and military members on the South Lawn of the White House to enjoy the same light show.
From sea to shining sea, here's a peek at some of the fireworks shows that dazzled.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
Tayfun Coskun / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
/
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Macyâs 4th of July Fireworks celebration in Long Island City of New York City, United States on July 4, 2021.
Mark Makela / Getty Images
/
Getty Images
Children watch as Independence Day fireworks erupt over the Philadelphia Art Museum on July 4, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
/
Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
Huntington Beach lifeguards watch the fireworks display over the ocean at the pier on the Fourth of July Sunday, July 4, 2021 in Huntington Beach, CA.
Patrick Semansky / AP
/
AP
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden view fireworks with granddaughters Finnegan Biden, second from right, and Naomi Biden during an Independence Day celebration on the South Lawn of the White House.
Roy Rochlin / Getty Images for Edge at Hudson
/
Getty Images for Edge at Hudson
Guests watch the fireworks during the Edge at Hudson Yard's 4th of July Celebration at Edge at Hudson Yards on July 04, 2021 in New York City.
John Minchillo / AP
/
AP
Spectators watch from the Queens borough of New York as fireworks are launched over the East River and the Empire State Building during the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show, Sunday, July 4, 2021.
Jeenah Moon / Bloomberg via Getty Images
/
Bloomberg via Getty Images
Fireworks during the Macy's Fourth of July celebration in New York, U.S., on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Macys annual fireworks display returned to its usual grand scale over the East River this July 4.
Guillermo Arias / AFP via Getty Images
/
AFP via Getty Images
People gather on the Mexican side of the US-Mexico border to watch the Independence Day fireworks being shot on the other side on the San Diego Bay, from Playas de Tijuana, Baja California state on July 4, 2021.
Ed Jones / AFP via Getty Images
/
AFP via Getty Images
Spectators watch the annual Independence Day fireworks display outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia on July 4, 2021.
Daniel Knighton / Getty Images
/
Getty Images
Fireworks explode over San Diego Bay as part of the Big Bay Boom Independence Day Celebration on July 04, 2021 in San Diego, California.
Sean Combs' federal trial on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy will begin in New York next week. What is he accused of, and what will the trial mean for the mogul and for hip-hop?
The interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia has sent letters to several leading medical journals asking for information about their editorial practices.
Scientists have created a broadly effective antivenom using the blood of a Wisconsin man who has spent years exposing himself to deadly snakebites from black mambas, taipans, cobras and many others.
Germany's domestic intelligence agency has formally designated the Alternative for Germany party as extremist, a move likely to further isolate the country's largest opposition party.
Erin Patterson hosted several of her estranged husband's relatives for lunch in July 2023. Within days, three of them were dead of mushroom poisoning. She denies deliberately poisoning them.
How will having to start repaying your student loans affect your financial situation? Tell us about your experience, and we may be in touch for an upcoming story on Morning Edition.
The proposal would cut off rental subsidies after two years for able-bodied adults. Advocates warn if enacted, the White House plan would tip many low-income renters over the edge into homelessness.
The National Science Foundation, a major government funder of basic science research, is being shaken up, with over 1,000 grants already terminated and the White House looking to halve its budget.
Support Local News and Stories: How You Help Sustain VPM
Community members – like you – sustain VPM so we can deliver local news coverage, educational programming and inspiring stories.
Your donations make it possible.
9(MDM3NjYwMjA5MDE1MjA1MzQ1NDk1N2ZmZQ004))
