America celebrates July 4 as Independence Day because it was on July 4, 1776, that the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Over time, various other summertime activities also came to be associated with the Fourth of July, including historical pageants, picnics, etc. Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, the largest Independence Day fireworks display in the nation works hand-in-hand with the pyrotechnic team in the business to design and install more than 40,000 effects, all choreographed to an Independence Day medley. Macy’s has up to six fireworks barges detonating simultaneously from either one or several locations around New York City. This year, thousands of shells will launch along the East River in Midtown, synchronised to a patriotic score from the West Point Band and Glee Club.