Happy Fourth of July Images from Decades Past
![Water skiers holding flags](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/water-skiers-holding-flags/1Vg64v0OBrmkKtif2y_alFGBlAQ=/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/03/db/03dbcbd306ad4520a421aa40ac3345b0.jpeg)
It doesn't matter what side of the political spectrum you're on — most people can agree that Independence Day in the United States is filled with festivities, fun and plenty of fireworks.
People have celebrated this country's birthday with picnics and parades since Day 1. Check out some photos from decades past to see how your ancestors spent their happy Fourth of July holiday.
Appetizing on a Hot July Day
![Red raspberry, white vanilla and blueberry ice cream](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/red-raspberry-white-vanilla-and-blueberry-ice-cream/wpXz0Fd4vKXYZJU_qzk43R3DmeM=/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/4c/d7/4cd74c870eb0499080894554480dd877.jpeg)
One pack, three choices — Neapolitan ice cream for Independence Day.
Watching the Parade
![Girls on bikes](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/girls-on-bikes/4ZIEpM8duFTnH-OLPPbAjSu7Vts=/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/61/f0/61f06d014193421694f8c05e9b18dd1d.jpeg)
Bikes make a perfect platform for watching any parade.
A Very Victorian Fourth
![Victorian family on Fourth of July](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/victorian-family-on-fourth-of-july/2nVxyzU3nNzWCy93xU6OHDOCkaE=/5x0:904x674/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/53/84/5384d269d2c74aa08057d93baa1a108a.jpeg)
Fourth of July celebrations may have been simple at the turn of last century, but they were no less festive.
Letting Her Freak Flag Fly
![Woman with American flags](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/woman-with-american-flags/bTcOIC-Z-mVBlglpKoUdiNT25BY=/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/44/f1/44f1f6d72a004c40a03b13240a6c8503.jpeg)
She must have been conveying her patriotism around town. Note that she is on roller skates.
Tricycle Parade Group
![Kids on bikes](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/kids-on-bikes/zqX9amHcxOZEjRyhib9ZzvpRhzw=/72x0:935x647/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/75/62/7562d35b448d49fca33df4be8f94256b.jpeg)
These proud kids strutted their patriotic stuff during an Independence Day parade in the 1940s.
The Best Seat on the Parade Route
![Staten Island fire truck](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/staten-island-fire-truck/HXMn4OeJXS_NLqZ-e3JNP9GFQA8=/28x39:897x691/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/86/59/8659284e5e6e4620b93fcedc76522b9c.jpeg)
If you were able to swing this ride, you were the coolest kid on the block.
Neighborhood Fife and Drum Corps
![Kiddie parade, 1950s](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/kiddie-parade-1950s/GInkQs6uM9nhozAIicwmhpFgikQ=/640x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/56/1c/561c6b2470514215915f7fd416575cd9.jpeg)
Fourth of July entertainment without ever having to leave your yard.
The Importance of Picking Out the Best Fireworks
![Fireworks shop](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/fireworks-shop/tamRKb5oX8isslQNYuSNQwlmKX0=/0x185:581x766/581x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/56/29/56292c61baef426d87fe60430255228d.jpeg)
What you got could make or break your Independence Day celebration.
Lady Liberty and Friends
![July Fourth pageant](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/july-fourth-pageant/hiHQ2Jxm2iN5OU7BDcEJyYFYmkU=/57x63:674x526/617x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/72/04/7204b191a8df44d9b25b40d9a54536a3.jpeg)
Fourth of July pageantry courtesy of 1940s schoolchildren.
Eating Up Independence Day
![Pie-eating contest](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/pie-eating-contest/5niB6yF_I2lcWUsXwMx6FmmCs6o=/0x210:1638x1849/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/ed/bc/edbcaa7889ab4a0fbe1d6d82cf6e85c7.jpeg)
Pie-eating contests were always a highlight of any Independence Day celebration.
Strange Independence Day Advertising
![Kids in boat for Fourth of July](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/kids-in-boat-for-fourth-of-july/pieROUptilmYypxa5MbLYhcghrM=/18x0:1522x1127/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/d0/73/d07352eb280740aca418ff9a0b0b3cf2.jpeg)
Sure, they were part of a grand parade procession, but where were the showers?
The Patriotic Singing Kaydees
![Girls in convertible](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/girls-in-convertible/m9f4nl8ilmADJC1KxJVjnZtSk30=/70x30:654x467/583x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/c0/e5/c0e59f6a694446349f740851d649bb4b.jpeg)
The Kaydees' songs about dairy products could have been chart-toppers.
The Floating Fathers
![Bicentennial float](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/bicentennial-float/qMGStosKqum1Azi9ApCHaqrKLR0=/214x58:1518x1037/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/69/4f/694f325e5d8e40338c58e52a1472294f.jpeg)
Going that extra mile with costumes and really getting into the Fourth of July Spirit.
Strike Up the Band
![Bend, Oregon musicians](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/bend-oregon-musicians/7fmD--45dVyFzIUIHYHdS-ozRNA=/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/04/49/0449a43af4a24a87a7e01ddbcb1b2d53.jpeg)
Every Independence Day celebration needs a band to fire up the crowd.
A Fourth of July Balancing Act
![Water skiers holding flags](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/water-skiers-holding-flags/_rNqmq5j7r6ZOyydHfsh-0iEUt4=/51x0:1409x1018/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/20/cc/20cc6eaee56d4e77a56b5b7cd5e8a749.jpeg)
Patriotism isn't for land only. You can even achieve it on water.
She's a Grand Old Flag
![Woman in American flag dress](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/woman-in-american-flag-dress/50xj6Ul1fI1jedtere_lFGpW_NY=/632x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/62/87/6287aec8825f436cac7e5c2a43001010.jpeg)
Fourth of July fashion around the turn of the last century.
Cover Your Ears
![Fireworks at the beach](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/fireworks-at-the-beach/qC6ueyR4dOeU4jhpplBFI2w_fvA=/0x42:597x640/597x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/4a/28/4a28ad02996543cc9bfc6e8792801f1e.jpeg)
An explosive Fourth of July party on the beach in Santa Monica.
A Classic Independence Day Barbecue
![Fourth of July summer picnic](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/fourth-of-july-summer-picnic/LAAIQ3Uc9O6EaMEZLKRdU0FQbS4=/21x0:595x430/573x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/8a/e3/8ae3ab26975a4a1b80a86a0119954ea7.jpeg)
People used to dress up for any event, including a backyard barbecue.
Clowning Around in the Fourth of July Parade
![Clown car for Fourth of July parade](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/clown-car-for-fourth-of-july-parade/AmHdMRANP94GqNhbbZCwlg9wHJo=/51x0:908x642/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/ca/c6/cac68c9229a743d8967e9ad2b0a4287b.jpeg)
A patriotic clown and his posse.
Make It a Festive Celebration
![Serious revelers](https://thumbor.bigedition.com/serious-revelers/tHww1QQ0ub3hWsnxOf97uxUCP4I=/800x0/filters:quality(80)/granite-web-prod/c0/8c/c08cf4e882254064b37a1e3fc963a384.jpeg)
These clearly excited girls with you a safe and happy Fourth of July.