ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - The Fourth of July has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the celebrations go back generations. We celebrate Independence Day because it is the day when our country declared its freedom from British rule.

Fourth of July Celebrations usually consist of parades, cookouts, drinks, festivals, and of course fireworks. But, everyone has their own way of celebrating. Abigail Rockwood from Kirkland says she has been spending the Fourth of July as a vendor.

“Actually, the first year I was actually at Kirkland’s with my boyfriend and he took me here. That was four years ago and I started vending here three years ago. We watch the Fourth of July fireworks here every year,” says Rockwood. She also explains how her family are big fireworks people. They even watch them at Christmas time.

Fireworks were a part of the very first Independence Day according to the American Pyrotechnics Association and have continued since. John Adams, the second U.S. president, had hoped for “pomp, parade, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other” for Independence Day.

Kelly Neslund, a parade goer from Shirland says her favorite Fourth of July tradition is also the fireworks.

“You know, small homegrown community, it’s a great tradition. We have wonderful things going on here: barbecue in the town square, the parade every year, and wonderful fireworks. It’s just a wonderful way to celebrate our nation’s birth,” says Neslund.