In Pictures: Spring equinox celebrations
In Pictures: St. Patrick's Day 2011
In Pictures: Carnival 2011
In Pictures: St. Patrick's Day Parades around the world
In Pictures: Halloween: dogs in costume
In Pictures: Presidential Christmas
A man dressed as Thomas Jefferson reads the Declaration of Independence in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia on July 3, 2008. Mr. Jefferson was the primary author of the document declaring the independence of the 13 American colonies from Britain, celebrated on July 4 and known as Independence Day. Newscom/File
The Macy's Independence Day fireworks display in New York is shown here in 2010. It takes place over the Hudson River and has been televised on NBC since 1976. Jackson Lee/Splash News/File
Old glory waves over the field of 55,000 runners crowding Peachtree Street at the starting line for the 40th running of the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta on July 4, 2009. Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT/Newscom/File
Men dressed as President Abraham Lincoln and Founding Father Benjamin Franklin wave at a street audience of hundreds of thousands of spectators at the National Independence Day Parade in Washington on July 4, 2010. Jeff Malet/Newscom/File
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave from a balcony as they arrive at a barbeque for military members and their families, as well as government employees and their families, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on July 4, 2010. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom/File
Mark Ballas and Chelsie Hightower from 'Dancing with the Stars' will join the all-star cast of 'A Capitol Fourth' on PBS on the west lawn of the US Capitol Building in Washington on July 4. Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and marches by John Phllip Sousa will be played, accompanying the fireworks. PRNewsFoto/Capital Concerts/Newscom/File
Spectators at the Prescott Frontier Days Rodeo Parade watch the American Legion Post 6 color guard march past them in downtown Prescott, Arizona, on July 3, 1999. The parade is the second largest Fourth of July parade in Arizona. Jack Kurtz/UPI/Newscom/File
The town of Bristol, R.I., paints the street lines in red, white, and blue for its 223rd Fourth of July Celebration in 2008. Held since 1785, the Bristol Fourth of July Parade is the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the US. Ann Hermes/Staff/File
Images of fireworks are projected onto a screen in front of the Hatch Shell next to the Charles River in Boston in 2004. The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is known as the premier Independence Day celebration in the nation. The event began in 1973 and is broadcast on CBS, featuring an orchestra, guest performer, and fireworks. Daniel Bersak/Sipa Press/Newscom/File
Liam Dougherty watches baseball with his face painted for the Fourth of July during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia in 2010. Numerous major and minor league baseball games are played on Independence Day. Christopher Szagola/Newscom/File
Each year on the fourth of July, the USS Constitution, also known as 'Old Ironsides,' is taken out into Boston Harbor and turned around. Launched in 1797, the ship is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the US Navy and the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel. Kathryn E. Macdonald/US Navy/Abacausa.com/Newscom/File
Referees keep track of how many hot dogs are eaten during the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating contest in Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 4, 2005. Grilling hot dogs and hamburgers is a beloved July 4 American tradition. Diane Bondareff/AP/File
In Pictures: Sinkholes around the world
In Pictures: What happened to the green revolution in Iran?
In Pictures: Facing the devastation of the Oklahoma tornadoes
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/20
In Pictures: Weather extremes 2013
In Pictures: The Israeli separation barrier: A West Bank wall
In Pictures: Derby Day devotees, Kenyan style
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/16
In Pictures: Dazzle like Beckham
In Hallandale Beach, Fla, lifeguard Tomas Lopez was fired for leaving his designated area. Now, some are rethinking the town’s decision to outsource the management of lifeguarding.
The Florida town of Hallandale Beach is rethinking its decision to outsource its lifeguarding duties after an incident in which Tomas Lopez, a lifeguard, was fired on the spot for leaving his “zone” to rescue a drowning man.
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Sinkholes-around-the-world
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/What-happened-to-the-green-revolution-in-Iran
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Facing-the-devastation-of-the-Oklahoma-tornadoes
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-05-20
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Weather-extremes-2013
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/A-West-Bank-wall
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Derby-Day-devotees-Kenyan-style
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-05-16
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Dazzle-like-Beckham
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Covert-commerce-smugglers-tunnels-at-the-Egypt-and-Gaza-border
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-05-15
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Duchess-Kate-s-royal-baby-bump
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-05-14
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Keffiyeh-is-rebel-chic
/Photo-Galleries/CSM-Galleries/Election2012/Tea-Parties
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Latin-America-s-fight-against-drugs-and-violence
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-05-13
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Look-up!-The-wonders-of-modern-architecture
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Exclusive!-with-Barbara-Walters
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Space-Photos-of-the-Day/Exploring-Mars-with-Curiosity
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/A-chance-to-pray-at-the-Western-Wall
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-05-09
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Making-it-in-Japan
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Mothers-of-the-world
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/What-happened-at-the-US-Consulate-in-Libya
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-05-08
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Istanbul-A-tale-of-two-cities
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Pakistan-caught-between-ancient-and-modern-life
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Russians-vs.-Putin
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Africa-s-Hot-Spots