Living Independence Day away from home

(How do Americans abroad celebrate the 4th of July? Independence Day is one of the most important dates of the year. In the USA, the streets are filled with jubilation, there are massive parades, thousands of flags everywhere, fireworks and family reunions with typical American food and music to commemorate the emancipation from Great Britain in 1776. Those who, for various reasons, are away honor the anniversary in different ways.

The former commissioner of Miami Beach and Miami Beach mayoral aspirant Michael Gongora has reported VozMedia once celebrated the 4th of July abroad, specifically in the capital of Spain, Madrid. "When you're abroad it's a little different, but you can still watch the celebrations on TV, on Facebook, on the web pages, and keep in touch with your friends in the United States or have a glass of wine.

Musician Scott McLain is one of 39,000 U.S. citizens residing in Spain (according to the most recent global data available, an estimated 3,167,072 emigrated from the U.S. to various countries in 2019) . He fell in love with Cordoba and settled in this Andalusian city. He celebrates the national holiday with his Spanish, Latin American, German and Dutch friends; and although he knows other North Americans living in Cordoba, he has a lot of friends from the Netherlands.The company's president, Mr. Mora, assures that everyone celebrates Independence Day in their own way. "I don't have American friends here, most of my colleagues are Spanish. What I do is that I call them together and we have a barbecue and drink American brand beer, and when there is the possibility of having some legal fireworks, we launch some. We also listen to music from my country. Everyone celebrates abroad in their own way, but I try to do it that way," he explained to VozMedia.

Logically, commemorative events are held at U.S. embassies in the United States.The most typical dishes of the country's cuisine are usually served on that day: hamburgers, barbecues, chicken wings, grilled corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese, potato salads ...and apple pies, donuts, cupcakes and cookies. The queen of beverages is, of course, American beer.

This year, the Hard Rock Café in Valencia will celebrate the 4th of July with costumes of the heroes of independence and special decorations; and with a unique drink in the colors of the U.S. flag.

For Stephanie Smith, who serves as Community Manager, these venues are not a draw to celebrate Independence Day. Smith travels extensively to Europe for work and says that what she enjoys most is being able to show her European friends her traditions during a meeting she organizes herself. "The United States is a nation made by emigrants, that is the synthesis of the American dream. We are always open to new cultures, that's why when we go to another country, rather than meeting among North Americans, we exalt our traditions by teaching them to the hosts of the place where we are; perhaps that is what has allowed the 4th of July to be a universal holiday," he emphasizes.

For Danny, a U.S. citizen of Latin American origin living in Madrid and a student, living the 4th of July abroad has a bittersweet taste. "I was born and raised in the United States and I love Spain, but Independence Day I can't help but want to be in the U.S. and hug my parents," he says. "Usually when I'm away I don't celebrate, I have a beer, remember the good times and toast to my country."