US celebrates Fourth of July
AMERICANS celebrated the Fourth of July holiday on Tuesday with the reopening of a New Jersey beach closed to everyone but the governor after a government shutdown, a record-setting hot-dog eating contest and fireworks displays across the country.
Beachgoing, baseball and fireworks, Fourth of July traditions, were embraced throughout the country, along with family cookouts (braais).
The US commemorated the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the 13 American colonies on July 4, 1776.
The document proclaims unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
In Philadelphia, where the declaration was adopted, there was a ceremonial tapping of the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall.
In many cities, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, crowds gathered under now-usual security precautions for concerts and fireworks displays.
New York’s display, billed as the largest, was set to go off over the East River where it could be seen from the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.
New Jersey and Maine ended partial government shutdowns just in time for the holiday.
A deal between Republican Party Governor Chris Christie and legislative leaders allowed New Jersey to reopen its parks and beaches.
Major League Baseball had a full schedule of 15 games in mostly packed stadiums across the country.
Another type of competition, rapid-fire eating contests, also took place nationwide, including one for hot dogs in Coney Island in Brooklyn, which was shown live on national television.
Joey Chestnut won his 10th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest by downing a record 72 frankfurters in 10 minutes.
In Washington, Molly Schuyler defended her title by chowing down 21 Z-Burger hamburgers in 10 minutes, according to media reports.
More than 13 000 people gathered for an informal peace-and-love celebration in Oregon’s Malheur National Forest, where two people died of non-violent causes, a spokesperson said.
Professing no leaders and no organisation, the Rainbow Family Gathering marked the Fourth of July with “care-taking of mother earth, non-violence and living a compassionate and loving life,” according to a blog.
A 72-year-old man died on Monday and a 20-year-old man collapsed and died on Tuesday, forest spokesperson Traci Weaver said.
There were 15 arrests, mostly for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or disorderly conduct, in addition to 108 violations and 432 warnings.