On July 4, the United States celebrates its independence from Britain with displays of fireworks, barbeques, shopping — and for an estimated 70 million citizens this year, travel. 

The United States’ celebration is held on the anniversary of the Second Continental Congress’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. But America isn’t the only country that celebrates independence from Britain. Much of the global population —  around one-fifth of the world, according to Guinness World Records — were subjects of Great Britain prior to 1914. 

Some countries don’t celebrate their independence from the United Kingdom, but instead dedicate a day to celebrating their formation. Others celebrate similarly to the United States, on the day the country either declared or formally gained independence from the United Kingdom. 

Here’s when and how several former British colonies celebrate their freedoms.

Kite flying on India’s Independence Day

India celebrates its independence on August 15, marking the end of 200 years of British rule in 1947 — when the Indian Independence Act separated British India into India and Pakistan — and its ascendence to becoming the world’s largest democracy. 

The prime minister starts the day by raising the country’s flag at the Red Fort in Old Delhi, marking the anniversary of the first time the modern flag was officially hoisted in the country. 

Following the flag-raising, there is a parade — but most families celebrate the day by flying kites. Indians used to fly kites as a form of protest. In 1927, slogans were written on kites deriding the Simon Commission, a group appointed by the British Conservative Government to report on the workings of the fledging Indian constitution. Since then, kites have been seen as an integral part of protest — and subsequent freedom.

As Independence Day is one of three major national holidays, many people have the day off and gather on streets, beaches and other locations to fly kites of various colors. 

Bahamas celebrates independence with Junkanoo 

Independence Day in the Bahamas is celebrated annually on July 10. After 300 years of British rule, the Bahamas became a fully independent nation in 1973. 

Bahamians start their celebrations 8 to 10 days before July 10, marking the momentous occasion with numerous cultural activities and events. Its most famed celebration is Junkanoo, a vibrant Bahamian street parade with music, dancing and elaborate costumes.

Although the exact origins of Junkanoo are unknown, a popular belief is that the traditions evolved from the days of slavery and now represent the Bahamian culture, according to the Bahamas.com. There is also a Junkanoo parade on Boxing Day, which takes place the day after Christmas. 

Australia’s independence marks the arrival of convicts

Australians celebrate Australia Day annually on January 26. The day isn’t tied to independence from Britain — but instead, marks the day that the first convict ships arrived from the United Kingdom. 

It’s the Commonwealth’s only public holiday celebrating the date of physical colonization, rather than the date of the country’s independence or another significant day.

Many Australians celebrate the summer holiday with barbeques. Australians also honor the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who inhabited the land for 65,000 years, according to Australia Day Council.

It is also a day when many new citizens are minted — the country added over 22,000 new Australians in 2024, according to the Australian Ministry for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs.

The 4th of July is here, which means fireworks celebrations galore. We found the best view of the 4th of July fireworks is actually from home. This year, Macy’s promises an epic July 4th fireworks show you won’t want to miss. Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show, even if you don’t have cable.

How and when to watch the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show

On Thursday, July 4, 2024, the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show will air from 8-10 p.m. ET. An encore presentation will broadcast at 10 p.m. ET. The fireworks spectacle will air on NBC and stream on Peacock.

How to watch the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show without cable

If your cable subscription doesn’t include NBC, or you’ve cut the cord with your cable company completely, you can still watch the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show without cable. 

Watch the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show on Peacock

Peacock offers its subscribers live streaming access to the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show, and other top-tier content airing on NBC including NFL Sunday Night Football games. The streaming service has plenty more live sports to offer, including Big Ten football, Premier League soccer and WWE wrestling (including formerly PPV-only events such as WrestleMania). There are 80,000 hours worth of recorded content to watch as well, including hit movies and TV series such as “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.”

A Peacock subscription costs $6 per month. An annual plan is available for $60 per year. You can cancel anytime.

Top features of Peacock:

• Peacock will have exclusive Paris 2024 Olympics coverage and live streams of Olympic coverage airing on NBC.
• Peacock features plenty of current and classic NBC and Bravo TV shows.

Stream the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show on Sling TV for half price

One of the most cost-effective ways to stream the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show and more this year is through a subscription to Sling TV. The streamer offers access to the NFL Network, local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available) and ESPN with its Orange + Blue Tier plan. Also worth noting: Sling TV comes with 50 hours of cloud-based DVR recording space included, perfect for recording all the season’s top NFL matchups.

That plan normally costs $60 per month, but the streamer is currently offering a 50% off promotion for your first month, so you’ll pay just $30. You can learn more by tapping the button below.

Note: Because Sling TV doesn’t carry CBS, you won’t be able to watch CBS-aired programming like next year’s NFL games on CBS. To watch these games, plus PGA golf, UEFA Champions League and more live sports, we recommend you also subscribe to Paramount+ with Showtime. Paramount+ with Showtime costs $12 per month after a one-week free trial. 

CBS Essentials and Paramount+ with Showtime are both subsidiaries of Paramount.

Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:

• There are 46 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
• You get access to most local NFL games and nationally broadcast games at the lowest price.
• All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.

Watch the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show free with Fubo

You can also catch the epic Macy’s fireworks show on FuboTV. FuboTV is a streaming service that offers access to the live feed of network affiliates (where available), and favorite cable channels. Sports fans gain access to almost every NFL game of the season, NBA and NHL next season, as well as network-aired MLB games happening now. Packages include CBS, Fox Sunday NFC games via “NFL on Fox”, NBC (Sunday Night Football), ESPN (Monday Night Football), NFL Network and more, so you’ll be able to watch more than just today’s 4th of July celebration, all without a cable subscription.

To watch the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer.  A subscription to FuboTV starts at $80 per month after a seven-day free trial.

Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:

• There are no contracts with FuboTV — you can cancel at any time.
• The Pro tier includes over 180 channels, including NFL Network. (You’ll need to upgrade to Ultimate for NFL RedZone.)
• FuboTV includes all the channels you’ll need to watch college and pro football, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
• All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
• Stream on your TV, phone, and other devices.

Watch the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show free on Hulu + Live TV

You can watch the festivities, and gain access to top-tier content and sports airing on network TV,  NFL Network, with Hulu + Live TV. The bundle features access to 90 channels, including NBC, CBS and ABC. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch every game on every network with Hulu + Live TV, plus catch live NFL preseason games, exclusive live regular season games, popular studio shows (including NFL Total Access and the Emmy-nominated show Good Morning Football) and lots more.

Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $70 per month.

Watch the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show with a digital HDTV antenna

You can also watch tonight’s fireworks show on TV with an affordable indoor antenna, which pulls in local over-the-air HDTV channels such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS, Univision and more. Here’s the kicker: There’s no monthly charge.

For anyone living in a partially blocked-off area (those near mountains or first-floor apartments), a digital TV antenna may not pick up a good signal — or any signal at all. But for many homes, a digital TV antenna provides a seriously inexpensive way to watch TV without paying a cable company. Indoor TV antennas can also provide some much-needed TV backup if a storm knocks out your cable.

This ultra-thin, multi-directional Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro digital antenna with a 65-mile range can receive hundreds of HD TV channels and can filter out cellular and FM signals. It delivers a high-quality picture in 1080p HDTV, top-tier sound and features a 12-foot digital coax cable.

This antenna is on sale at Amazon for $56, reduced from $70 with coupon.

Who is hosting the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show?

Four-time Grammy Award-nominated recording artist Mickey Guyton and Zuri Hall of “Access Hollywood” will host tonight’s fireworks spectacular.