Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Americans celebrated Independence Day with parades, water fun, barbeques and fireworks.
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Andrew Hoelter, 3, waves his flag during the annual Court-Chemeketa 4th of July Kids parade, in Salem, Ore., on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Statesman Journal, Timothy J. Gonzalez)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Morgan Jarvis, 12, of Charlottesville carries a United States flag for her step-father Sam O'Gorek at the 1820s American Farm exhibit on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Staunton, Va. Hundreds flocked to the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton to hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence and to experience Independence Day at historically accurate farms, with admission to the museum free for the holiday. (AP Photo/The Daily News Leader, Pat Jarrett)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
For the 40th year, people got a jump on their 4th of July festivities at Music in Plymouth on Tuesday night, July 3, 2012, with an evening of music performance at the Hilde Performance Center culminating with a concert by the Minnesota Orchestra followed by fireworks. (AP Photo/The Star Tribune,Jeff Wheeler )
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Children compete in a sack race at Lincoln Park in Valparaiso, Fla. during a Independence Day celebration, Wednesday July 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Northwest Florida Daily News, Nick Tomecek)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
July 4, 2012 - A Girl Scout gives a wave to the spectators during the annual 4th of July parade in the McKinney, Texas town square. (Michael Prengler/Special Contributor)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Nicolas D'Annunzio, 4, left, and Ian Strother, 5, join the parade of bikes, wagons and scooters decorated for the annual Riverside Citizens Association 4th of July Pancake Breakfast and Children's Parade in Central Riverside Park in Wichita, Kan., Wednesday, July 4, 2012. (AP Photo/The Wichita Eagle, Mike Hutmacher)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Cooper Eddleman is dressed as Yankee Doodle in the 4th of July parade in Oxford, Miss. on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Oxford Eagle, Bruce Newman)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Taylor Shelby, center, portrays Dolly Madison saving the portrait of George Washington, played by Paul Luks, as another actor sets fire to the White House prop in a rehearsal for a play outlining the history of the United States, specifically the war of 1812, on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Staunton, Va. Hundreds flocked to the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton to hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence and to experience Independence Day at historically accurate farms, with admission to the museum free for the holiday. (AP Photo/The Daily News Leader, Pat Jarrett)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Emily Judson straps a helmet on son Eli Judson, 4, for the parade of bikes, wagons and scooters decorated for the annual Riverside Citizens Association 4th of July Pancake Breakfast and Children's Parade in Central Riverside Park in Wichita, Kan., Wednesday, July 4, 2012. (AP Photo/The Wichita Eagle, Mike Hutmacher)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Children approach the finish line during the sack race at the Hillsdale Independence Day celebration Wednesday July 4, 2012 in Hillsdale, Okla. (AP Photo/The Enid News & Eagle, Billy Hefton)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
July 4, 2012 - Parade participants wave at the spectators during the annual 4th of July parade in the McKinney, Texas town square. (Michael Prengler/Special Contributor)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Josh Jonker, 5, readies his ride for the parade of bikes, wagons and scooters decorated for the annual Riverside Citizens Association 4th of July Pancake Breakfast and Children's Parade in Central Riverside Park in Wichita, Kan., Wednesday, July 4, 2012. (AP Photo/The Wichita Eagle, Mike Hutmacher)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
The crowd watches fireworks during the Music in Plymouth event Tuesday night, July 3, 2012, at the Hilde Performance Center in Plymouth, Minn. For the 40th year, people got a jump on their 4th of July festivities at Music in Plymouth. (AP Photo/The Star Tribune,Jeff Wheeler )
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
July 4, 2012 - A Fallen Soldier Battle Cross on display in the float of VFW Post 2150, during the annual 4th of July parade in the McKinney, Texas town square. (Michael Prengler/Special Contributor)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Banners with the United States flag colors wave as fireworks burst in the air during the Fourth of July Independence Day show at State Fair Meadowlands, Tuesday, July 3, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Banners with the United States flag colors wave as fireworks burst in the air during the Fourth of July Independence Day show at State Fair Meadowlands, Tuesday, July 3, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
A United States flag waves next to carnival rides as fireworks burst in the air during the Fourth of July Independence Day show at State Fair Meadowlands, Tuesday, July 3, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Paul Luks prepare to give a speech portraying George Washington at the 1820s American Farm exhibit on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Staunton, Va. Hundreds flocked to the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton to hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence and to experience Independence Day at historically accurate farms, with admission to the museum free for the holiday. (AP Photo/The Daily News Leader, Pat Jarrett)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Taylor Shelby, center, portrays Dolly Madison saving the portrait of George Washington, played by Paul Luks, as another actor sets fire to the White House prop in a rehearsal for a play outlining the history of the United States, specifically the war of 1812, on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in Staunton, Va. Hundreds flocked to the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton to hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence and to experience Independence Day at historically accurate farms, with admission to the museum free for the holiday. (AP Photo/The Daily News Leader, Pat Jarrett)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
The Lions Club mascot leads its service club members in the Fourth of July parade in Jackson, Wyo. on Wednesday, July 4, 20112. Thousands of residents and visitors lined the streets of the Rocky Mountain town to celebrate Independence Day even as dry weather forced cancellation of the evening fireworks show. (AP Photo/Jackson Hole News & Guide, Angus M. Thuermer Jr.)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
Seven-month old Ella Harmon is fitted with stars for her eyes for the parade of bikes, wagons and scooters decorated for the annual Riverside Citizens Association 4th of July Pancake Breakfast and Children's Parade in Central Riverside Park in Wichita, Kan., Wednesday, July 4, 2012. (AP Photo/The Wichita Eagle, Mike Hutmacher)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
July 4, 2012 - Young parade participants make their way through the parade route during the annual 4th of July parade in the McKinney, Texas town square. (Michael Prengler/Special Contributor)
Independence Day celebrations around the U.S.
July 4, 2012 - Young parade goers wave at a passing vintage fire truck during the annual 4th of July parade in the McKinney, Texas town square. (Michael Prengler/Special Contributor)