BUAD 878: International Business Cultures

IJS topic: Food & Lifestyle

Jennifer O’Sullivan

4^th of July Barbecue

In the USA, we celebrate the anniversary of our independence from British rule with the holiday called ‘The Fourth of July’. This holiday happens in the middle of the summer season and is a national holiday, so almost everyone has the day off from work and school. The holiday is celebrated all over the country by displaying American flags, having parades in small towns across the USA, and having social gatherings with food cooked on a charcoal grill. Above, you can see a typical combination of food that is made for a barbecue: Hamburgers, hotdogs, corn on the cob, lettuce and tomato salad, and even grilled chicken or fish.

Fireworks are also a part of the celebration. As shown in the picture above, kids are given fireworks called ‘sparklers’ (which are safe and do not burn skin). Also, towns might hold fireworks displays for their communities. It is a tradition to end the day of the Fourth of July with an exciting and colorful fireworks display, like the one shown below. People gather together and sit on a grassy field with their families, and watch the show.