Fourth of July | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/fourth-july/RSS feed for Fourth of JulyenTue, 30 Jun 2026 15:29:09 +0000From a Sea Turtle Release to an Outhouse Race, These Ten Fourth of July Traditions Celebrate America Like No Otherhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/from-a-sea-turtle-rescue-to-an-outhouse-race-these-ten-fourth-of-july-traditions-celebrate-america-like-no-other-180989044/Revelers typically mark Independence Day with a barbecue and fireworks show, but these festivities across the country offer quirky alternativesTue, 30 Jun 2026 15:29:09 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/from-a-sea-turtle-rescue-to-an-outhouse-race-these-ten-fourth-of-july-traditions-celebrate-america-like-no-other-180989044/During World War I, This Woman Asked Americans to Welcome Immigrants—and Urged New Arrivals to Assimilatehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/during-world-war-i-this-woman-asked-americans-to-welcome-immigrants-and-urged-new-arrivals-to-assimilate-180989035/Progressive reformer Frances Kellor spearheaded efforts to celebrate Americanization Day, arguing that immigrants should fully embrace U.S. culture to better adapt to life in their new homeTue, 30 Jun 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/during-world-war-i-this-woman-asked-americans-to-welcome-immigrants-and-urged-new-arrivals-to-assimilate-180989035/In 1776, the Declaration of Independence Was Breaking News. Here's How the Founding Document Reached the American Publichttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-1776-the-declaration-of-independence-was-breaking-news-heres-how-the-founding-document-reached-the-american-public-180988494/A new book by historian Emily Sneff records the journeys of the Declaration's first printed copies, tracking their reception in the Thirteen Colonies and overseasMon, 13 Apr 2026 11:45:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-1776-the-declaration-of-independence-was-breaking-news-heres-how-the-founding-document-reached-the-american-public-180988494/How a Deadly Circus Fire on the 'Day the Clowns Cried' Traumatized a Community—and Led to Lasting Safety Reformshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-a-deadly-circus-fire-on-the-day-the-clowns-cried-traumatized-a-community-and-led-to-lasting-safety-reforms-180986888/On July 6, 1944, a blaze broke out at a Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey show in Hartford, Connecticut. At least 167 people died, and hundreds were injuredThu, 03 Jul 2025 11:15:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-a-deadly-circus-fire-on-the-day-the-clowns-cried-traumatized-a-community-and-led-to-lasting-safety-reforms-180986888/This Rare Printing of the Declaration of Independence Could Sell for $4 Millionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-rare-printing-of-the-declaration-of-independence-could-sell-for-4-million-180985851/Made by a printer in New Hampshire, this 1776 broadside edition was created to disseminate America's founding document to the publicWed, 22 Jan 2025 19:52:41 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-rare-printing-of-the-declaration-of-independence-could-sell-for-4-million-180985851/A New Summer Tradition, a Three-Week 'Civic Season,' Asks Americans to Reflect on the Past and Future https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/new-summer-tradition-two-week-civic-season-asks-americans-reflect-past-and-future-180977979/Museums are inviting Americans to embrace the national story from its sins to its successes as a stepping stone towards a better futureMon, 14 Jun 2021 17:29:36 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/new-summer-tradition-two-week-civic-season-asks-americans-reflect-past-and-future-180977979/How Do Native Americans Observe the Fourth of July?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2020/07/01/do-american-indians-celebrate-4th-july/The answer has always been as complicated as America's historyWed, 01 Jul 2020 20:15:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2020/07/01/do-american-indians-celebrate-4th-july/Why Fireworks Scare Some Dogs but Not Othershttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/firework-fear-why-your-dog-does-or-doesnt-react-and-how-you-should-180975182/Canine scientists investigate why loud sounds cause some dogs to lose their cool and offer insight on effective treatmentFri, 26 Jun 2020 14:33:16 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/firework-fear-why-your-dog-does-or-doesnt-react-and-how-you-should-180975182/Seven Inventions for a Safer Fourth of Julyhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/seven-inventions-safer-fourth-july-180972544/From fireworks shields to seat belts, these inventions throughout history have made summer fun less riskyWed, 03 Jul 2019 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/seven-inventions-safer-fourth-july-180972544/The 1900s Movement to Make the Fourth of July Boring (but Safe)https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/1900s-reform-movement-made-fourth-july-safe-and-sane-180972537/One activist thought celebrating the founding of the nation would be better spent as a "a quiet day under the trees"Tue, 02 Jul 2019 15:19:08 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/1900s-reform-movement-made-fourth-july-safe-and-sane-180972537/