Happy July!

It’s hard to believe that July is here already! July is one of my favorite months of the year (and not just because of all the birthdays this month). There are so many interesting things that happen in July!

In Japan, July 7th is when people celebrate Tanabata. I didn’t know much about this holiday before I came to Japan, but I enjoy seeing the decorations around the city.

In the USA, however, the main holiday of the month is The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day. The Fourth of July is when Americans celebrate their independence from Britain and the birth of a new country, the United States of America. The Fourth of July is a very patriotic holiday, when Americans can celebrate their country and their history, but it’s also a day when people can celebrate family and friends. Many people celebrate Independence Day by gathering with friends and family to have outdoor barbecues. Common foods are hamburgers and hotdogs, corn on the cob, coleslaw or potato salad, and apple pie (although every family has their own special traditions!).

Some cities and towns even have Independence Day parades or festivals. At these kinds of celebrations, people can watch performers, play games, and sometimes go on rides. And everything is decorated in red, white, and blue— the colors of the American flag.

Then, in the evening, people gather at their homes or in parks to watch fireworks shows. Many cities have large, carefully planned fireworks shows, but in some places, people can also set off their own fireworks (not everywhere— many places have strict rules about fireworks because of safety concerns). Sometimes the fireworks shows can continue late into the night, which can make it difficult for people who want to go to sleep, but overall it’s a very fun and exciting day.

This year, of course, many large events were cancelled, but the fireworks shows continued and people were able to watch the beautiful lights from their own homes.

Interestingly, Canadians have a very similar holiday. On July 1st, Canadians celebrate “Canada Day”. The celebrations are usually much smaller, but it can still be a time when people can come together with their families to celebrate.

What is your favorite month? How do you like to celebrate with your family?