Happy 4th of July to all Americans! If you are in Europe, you may be wondering where and how to celebrate.
Today, the United States celebrates its Independence Day. Often referred to simply by its date, July 4 is a federal holiday across the country that commemorates the day in 1776 when the Founding Fathers ratified the Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom, then ruled by King George III.
In the US, July 4th will be spent outdoors, eating hearty meals, drinking light beer, watching fireworks explode and… shooting guns? We’re not really sure, this is a European publication.
It is difficult to say exactly how many Americans live in Europe today, as they must be estimated, as expats are not always registered as such in foreign countries. However, according to the Department of Defense’s Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), there were at least 1,322,113 people living in Europe in 2018 who were eligible to vote.
Since this is a low estimate, it seems only fair to consider how the millions of Americans living on European soil might want to celebrate their Independence Day on the continent.
United Kingdom
It seems logical to start with the nation from which the United States gained its independence. While the country was forged on animosity toward the once great empire, relations have tempered and the United States and the United Kingdom now have a close bond special relationship.
One of the best ways to celebrate the 4th of July is to head to the Benjamin Franklin House in London. The founding father’s former home has been decorated for Independence Day and will offer refreshments and specialty tours to celebrate the day.
Democrats Abroad United also hold their annual celebration picnic in Portman Square in London. Republicans are also invited.
France
In the UK, Independence Day is associated first with American celebration, then with schlocky. Will Smith movie. Only absolute lunatics think of Brexit Day (June 23, 2016) when you say that term.
This is not the case in France. They have their own Independence Day, celebrated 10 days later in the calendar. Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 and marks the beginning of the French Revolution.
The French do not celebrate July 4th as ardently as the British. However, during the period between World War I and World War II, the French celebrated July 4th to honor the “sister republic” that had helped them win the battle against Germany. This tradition died out almost immediately after World War II.
Once again, you can count on Democrats Abroad United to organize some activities if you are looking for American friends. They are organizing picnics in Rennes and Paris that day, and others in Bandol, Avignon, Nice, Toulouse and Bordeaux on Saturday.
Germany
In Germany, it’s pretty easy to spend a day partying like Americans would, because they have a similar, if slightly modified, approach to American pleasures. Where the US has hot dogs, Germany has sausages. Where the US has terrible beer, Germany has great beer. In very large glasses.
Our advice to Americans spending July 4th in Germany would be to enjoy a Spätis, grab a few bottles of Weißbier, and then wash down all that alcohol with a Currywurst.
Alternatively, you can always head to the German Embassy where there will be festivities including a speech by the ambassador, performances of the American and German national anthems and a fireworks display.
Spain
Although July 4th is not a very important event in most European countries, Spanish communities take it very seriously. In Malaga, it is an opportunity to celebrate the Spaniard Bernardo de Gálvez who led the colonists against the English in Florida to win the Battle of Pensacola.
The Spanish military leader’s exploits were celebrated at the time by George Washington, who marched alongside him in the victory parade in Philadelphia. Today, Gálvez is celebrated in Malaga and Pensacola, with a local festival and places named after him.
To pay tribute to Gálvez, the municipality of Macharaviaya organizes a military parade in his honor on the Saturday closest to July 4.
