Fireworks, hot dogs, hurricane help mark July 4th

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The United States marks 238 years as an independent nation as it celebrates the Fourth of July with
fireworks, food and music. Nature and politics also play a role this year, with Hurricane Arthur
crashing holiday parties along the East Coast and subdued festivities in Moscow amid growing
anti-American sentiment over the crisis in Ukraine. Here are some highlights of Independence Day
celebrations across the globe:
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FIRE IN THE SKY
The Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show in New York City is the nation’s largest. Macy’s says more than
1,600 shells will be launched per minute during the 25-minute display over the East River. Among the
celebrities performing at the event are the Zac Brown Band, Enrique Iglesias and Ariana Grande. Other
major fireworks shows are being held in Chicago on Lake Michigan and in San Francisco over the bay.
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WEATHER WORRIES
The first hurricane of the season, Arthur, forced many East Coast cities to switch the dates of their
Fourth of July celebrations. Boston officials moved the annual Boston Pops July 4 concert and fireworks
from Friday to Thursday. Then they cut short the concerts so the fireworks could begin. Shortly after
the dazzling display thundered to a close, a drenching rain began falling. Meanwhile, several cities in
Maine, New Hampshire and New Jersey moved their fireworks shows to either Saturday or Sunday. Augusta,
Maine, moved its fireworks to Aug. 2.
When it crossed North Carolina’s Outer Banks late Thursday, Arthur narrowly missed becoming the first
hurricane to make landfall on July Fourth, according to National Hurricane Center research that dates to
the 1850s.
In Phoenix, the first dust storm of the summer arrived with blinding winds that forced the cancellation
of holiday plans, knocked out power to thousands and grounded numerous flights.
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INSPIRING MUSIC
In Washington, composer John Williams is to debut a new arrangement of "The Star-Spangled
Banner" featuring choirs, trumpets, an orchestra and cannons on the National Mall.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the national anthem. Francis Scott Key was inspired by the sight
of the flag over Baltimore’s Fort McHenry in September 1814 after a 25-hour British bombardment.
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GLUTTONY ON THE FOURTH
High-ranking chowhound Joey "Jaws" Chestnut dropped to one knee and proposed to his longtime
girlfriend before Friday’s annual Coney Island hot dog eating contest, then packed away 61 franks and
buns to hold onto his coveted mustard yellow winner’s belt. The San Jose, California, man fell far short
of his record last year of 69 dogs and buns, but he still easily beat second-place finisher Matt Stonie,
also of San Jose, who downed just 56.
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INDEPENDENCE HALL
Vice President Joe Biden, addressing the annual "Celebration of Freedom" ceremony at
Independence Hall, said the lessons of the civil rights movement show that the struggle for freedom that
began in Philadelphia more than two centuries ago is not over.
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EX-PATS IN CANADA
Julie Buchanan, treasurer of Democrats Abroad, planned to celebrate at a Toronto bar with red, white and
blue sparklers, about 125 of her American ex-pat friends, and life-size cut-outs of President Barack
Obama and the first lady.
"We really miss the patriotism of America; so many of us crave that sense of pride and camaraderie
from back home," said Buchanan, an Alabama native who moved to Toronto from Memphis, Tennessee, in
2000.
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MOSCOW PARTIES
The national anthems of both Russia and the United States played at the traditional July 4 garden party
held at the stately residence of the American ambassador in Moscow. But far fewer Russians than usual
came, either because they were unwilling to be seen associating with American diplomats or because their
anti-American statements had gotten them scratched off of the guest list.
The other big Independence Day party in Moscow, organized by the American Chamber of Commerce, takes
place Sunday and, in a break from tradition, is being held at a private golf and polo club instead of a
city park. Security appears to have been a concern for the change.

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