It's been 249 years since the Declaration of Independence was passed by the Continental Congress in 1776, which the holiday commemorates.

In Huntington Beach, some parade-goers staked out their prime spots before dawn today to watch the famed march down Main Street, this year celebrating 121 years. The event is dubbed the biggest Fourth of July parade west of the Mississippi River.

Independence Day parades, another Joey Chestnut win and fireworks marked Friday's Fourth of July celebrations across the U.S. The big picture: Millions of Americans traveled for the holiday, facing sweltering heat,

The final preparations are underway for the 49th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks special for a night of dazzling pyrotechnics across New York City’s skyline, with a star-studded lineup of live performances by country artists,

Over the years, people always say, ‘Oh you work in the fireworks business! You must have all kinds of fireworks in your backyard.’ It’s kind of the last thing we want to do,” he tells Popular Science.