Fireworks and drone shows wrap up July 4 celebrations in several towns

cultureJul 4, 20261626,873

People marked July 4 with fireworks displays, photos, and personal memories, from a Kyiv illumination of the Mother Ukraine monument praised by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to home and landmark views such as a St. Louis Arch fireworks photograph and a Brooklyn Bridge light show seen from a subway ride. Several posts recalled past large displays, including a Macy's East River fireworks boat viewing and a Washington Post item about 1976 Bicentennial fireworks. Others warned about safety and risks: an on-shift worker urged responsibility with fireworks and explosives, one post urged cancelling shows during severe thunderstorms, and multiple posts noted pets or people avoiding loud fireworks. Social posts mixed nostalgia and celebration, with mentions of regional scenes like the Pacific Northwest and Mount Rainier and playful or humorous takes on Fourth traditions. A family memory described watching a city fireworks show from a boat on the East River, and one post resurfaced historical notes on Japanese fireworks origins around 1600 called hanabi.

Tibor M. Kalman

@kalmantibs.bsky.social

Beautiful gesture from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, illuminating the Mother Ukraine monument in Kyiv in Stars & Stripes of the American flag. May the world continue to stand firmly alongside the resilient, courageous people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom & liberty. 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🕊️ #4thOfJuly

The Mother Ukraine monument in Kyiv illuminated with the projection of the American flag's Stars & Stripes. Photo via the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA.

228345d ago

Kate Jones112

I wish our current president were 1/100th the class act Zelenskyy is.

MH29

I hope it turns out that we value our freedom from autocracy as much as Ukraine values theirs.

Andrea Is Sick of Long Covid18

The US does *not* deserve this.

Marion Miller16

Thank you for still believing in the hope of the USA. May we live to deserve your confidence.

Dot of Blue in Florida11

Zelensky is a great leader and inspiration to is all. 💙💙❤️❤️

ScubaSuzyQ💙🦋11

In spite of the rude and ill-bred nastiness of #47 and his motley despicable crew, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stands up to be the leader we lack- with dignity and integrity!

Quoting this

Mike Black561

Between this and the French with the sign on the Eiffel Tower, good reminder these things are bigger than the current admin and moment

Zoomer Antimillenarian69

Be the America that Ukraine thinks you are.

Your Ad Here33

We, the American people, have an obligation to strive to make the USA a nation worthy of such gestures, and I believe we can. And we must. 🇺🇲🇺🇦

TKarney15

This moves me, a lit. That statue is amazing to see. If you get the chance to go to Kyiv, Take It.

Hal 1000012

He loves our country more than the ruling party does.

Giled Pallaeon12

This means more to me than any fireworks or flyovers on the Potomac tonight

Kat4Obama12

My fellow white people, reject the fascist GOP, racism, and the genocider Putin. Vote Democratic.

Mr. Buick11

The Spirit of '76 shall never die

Catherine Prendergast🇺🇦🪬9

You can see what America means to others as an idea that helped them live through times of tyranny and occupation. We need to deserve that.

TinkeringTailorTom-Dread is no longer Existential9

Now we just need to earn this back that was freely give

🦌 The Deer Whisperer 🦌

@thedeerwhisperer.bsky.social

From the Olympics to the Cascades, it's a glorious #4thOfJuly in the Pacific Northwest! The Brothers and Mt Rainier

The Brothers peaks of the Olympic Mountains

111545d ago

Janis11

As seen from Lake Tapps as of a few seconds ago. Happy 4th. One day this orange nightmare will be over

Miss Recreate5

We’re still waiting for the blue sky to emerge over here in the Olympics.

Queen of Diamonds 💎💙🦋☕️🇺🇦2

I love Rainier! Was there 3 years ago

nalyd620.bsky.social2

It’s a little hazy over here, but it’s clearing in the Sinclair Inlet

Allen Anderson2

Happy Fourth Mr. Deer Whisperer!

Sally K. H.1

It makes my heart hurt to see the Olympic range so bare.

Quoting this

Cheryl Huerta9

If you haven't been to the Pacific Northwest you haven't yet fully lived. We welcome you all to come enjoy some of the most beautiful and accessible treasures that America has. Come see us, you won't regret it. 🏞 Adding a bit of Mt.Hood, the Sisters and our Oregon coast to this wonderful post.

David S Lindsey4

A massive northward view along the Cascade Volcanic Arc; Mount Jefferson, Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount Saint Helens, and Mount Rainier in the center of the distant background.

Howard Mortman

@howardmortman.bsky.social

Tourists "dangled their tired feet in the Reflecting Pool in front of the Washington Monument, or they waded — fully clothed and often knee-deep in water — across the pond in front of the Lincoln Memorial" - Washington Post 7-5-1976 reports July 4th Bicentennial fireworks

28145d ago

Saskia4

And no one was arrested?! Shocking!

Kimb1

I don't know if this is real? It's not turning up in the wapo archive search and there's a few details that look off. (Charitably, maybe it's scanning/microfiche artifacts?)

Quoting this

Jesse Hawken33

Today this would put you in prison for decades

T.J. Stiles6

From the Annals of Communism.

Virginia Scharff5

Those were the days my friend 🎶

SailorLife3

50 years later, it’s illegal to even get a glance of reflection.

AJMarekArt

@ajmarekart.bsky.social

Since my Bluesky didn't exist until after it was originally made, I never got to post this 4th of July cartoon here. So here it is in all of its fireworks-y glory!

18945d ago

Draco4

Fav pose of Mitzi, she is too amazed to care that her room is crisped over due to Murphy's antics.

JLRART! (NOW OPEN FOR ART TRADES)1

Ok. So we're like getting something new today right?

Operatives, prepare for battle!1

How are these two still alive is beyond comprehension

Les LeMieux

@leslemieux.bsky.social

In late June, 2016, Mom and I flew w/ Dad's ashes from Seattle to France to spread them at his favorite place there. On the way back, we met up with Family in New York and were lucky enough to be on a boat on the East River for the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show. It was AWESOME!!

23245d ago

Bruce Disenhouse1

Best fireworks show anywhere by far💯🔥

The Public Domain Review

@publicdomainrev.bsky.social

Illustrations from Japanese fireworks catalogues (ca. 1880s) — https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/japanese-fireworks-cataloguesFireworks #Fireworks appeared in Japan sometime around 1600 and were called hanabi — a combination of the kanji “fire” and “flower”.

13645d ago

Quoting this

Andrew Janjigian5

I don't like fireworks anymore, but I still love these

Masque.pop (comms closed)

@masquepop.bsky.social

Did some quick obligatory art for 4th of July. He loves ya and wants you to be safe with fireworks. Have a great day!

13945d ago

Arthur David Spota

@adaspota.bsky.social

A new biplane paraded down New York City's Fifth Avenue with its propeller in full gear, circa 1920. #4thofJuly #Vintage4thofJuly

9045d ago

Macy

@missmacyx.bsky.social

Did you remember to leave some floppy disks out for Jeff Goldblum, so he can upload a virus to an alien mothership? MURICA!!!!! #4thofjuly 🇺🇸💥👽

8945d ago

Saul Youssef1

In a very lucky coincidence, the aliens used TCP/IP too.

Ponzini Photography

@ponzphoto.bsky.social

"Starry, Starry Night" - Photographed July 3, 2010, in Palmyra, Virginia. 📷 #fireworks #4thofjuly

8645d ago

Ponzini Photography9

The heat is still very hot (🤣 - 100° again). Not in a very celabtory mood, but we are heading to a friend's house up the block for a cookout. He smoked a brisket! Wanted to take a moment before we left to say thank you for the likes & reposts. Celebrating or not, hope everyone has a good day.

Breezie1

missing you take care of yourself catch you on the flip side🫂

Manny 🔞

@artsyymartsyyyy.bsky.social

@tvileplume.bsky.social using me as an experiment for inflation fireworks Happy 4th of July everyone :3

6745d ago

Alex Spahn 🌋🌪️☄️

@spahn711.bsky.social

I hide at home with Chaser from the 4th of July fireworks, so I will re-share my favorite fireworks photo, taken at the St. Louis Arch. Random aside: the Oklahoma state fair judge(s) thought this was a digitally-altered photo (it isn't) and removed it from its category. 🙄