Your guide to having a fabulous fourth

No doubt, when the signers of the Declaration of Independence inked their names on that historic document of defiance 233 years ago, the last thing on their minds was "How can we make a party out of this?"

It didn't take long, however, for the fun to begin.

The cities of Bristol, Rhode Island, and Philadelphia celebrated one year later on July 4, 1777, with gunfire, ships draped in red, white and blue bunting, music, speeches, parades, fireworks and other hoopla. The Revolutionary War would last another six years.

Though fireworks are launched for every kind of celebration in the United States, the majority...