Americans are celebrating our national birthday with grills blazing, fireworks bursting, parades and readings of the Declaration of Independence.

The July 4 holiday is a time for the country to pay tribute to the bold steps it took to leave the British Empire, and to honor and recognize the military men and women who have helped keep us independent all these years.

(To help you make the most of this holiday, we’ve also got a guide on how to take the best fireworks photos as we pay homage to the broad stripes and bright stars of Old Glory though fireworks.)

President Trump helped kick off the celebrations Tuesday morning, tweeting out a video of a chorus singing the song Make America Great Again, backed by a massive American flag. He later tweeted: “Getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July with a big crowd at the White House. Happy 4th to everyone. Our country will grow and prosper!”

Across the country, Americans shared their July 4 celebrations on Facebook, from the hikers in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains to Vermont's largest Independence Day parade in Bristol, to the hot dog eaters in Louisville, the beachogers in the Californian sun and fishing trips in Florida.

Vice President Pence made a special trip to Grandville, Mich., for the Fourth of July Parade while on vacation with family in Northern Indiana.

The VP tweeted about his visit Tuesday morning, having landed in his plane, Air Force Two, at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport around 10:30 a.m. with wife, Karen. Grandville residents had been wondering and anticipating the vice president's visit for the last few days and were excited about his arrival.

Just arrived in Grand Rapids. Picture-perfect day in West Michigan for a 4th of July parade. Let's thank all who protect our freedom #VPinMI pic.twitter.com/02DdK7lDDZ

— Vice President Pence (@VP) 4 July 2017

"It's kind of unbelievable, the No. 2 man in the country could be right there, walking basically in my driveway and my front yard," said Dan Pastoor, a Grandville resident.

Pence, alongside Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich., walked at the front of the parade — taking their time to individually greet citizens watching along the route. Pence even answered the question on everyone's mind: Why come to Grandville?

Thanks to all in Grandville for a patriotic 4th of July parade. Karen & I loved visiting. Happy Independence Day! #VPinMI pic.twitter.com/aJhGyKlMe1

— Vice President Pence (@VP) 4 July 2017

"We were spending a wonderful holiday weekend vacation with family in Northern Indiana and we'd heard so many wonderful things about this parade in Grandville," Pence said. "We just couldn't pass up being here, and it's lived up to every expectation we had.”

In Melbourne, Fla., retired Air Force Technical Sgt. Bill Michaels greeted Independence Day parade participants with salutes and patriotic greetings as they marched by his position.

"Happy Fourth of July!" Michaels called to a group of Brevard County Fire Rescue firefighters. Michaels served from 1975-95 as an aircraft mechanic crew chief.

What does July 4 mean to him?

"Freedom. It's free speech, free religion, free life. And the men and women that protect it: They're all heroes, whether they work in an office, work on a front line or behind it," Michaels said.

In Brockport, N.Y., the historic 1850s Morgan-Manning House offered old-time amusements: croquet, tug-of-war, badminton and ring toss. There was even a cake walk.

"This event started many, many years ago with the idea of 'let's get the community together for a celebration,' " said Mary Lynne Turner, a volunteer with the Western Monroe Historical Society, which sponsored the event. "What better way to celebrate the Fourth than to come out, have a hot dog or a hamburger and enjoy each other?"

In a red, white and blue Detroit Red Wings jersey and flag-themed boarding shorts, Stefan Garrison proudly waved Old Glory as he led the parade as grand marshal.

As for what the day was about, Garrison was clear: "This is to celebrate my independence and to say 'Happy Birthday, America!' "

Contributing: Rick Neale, Florida Today; Meaghan M. McDermott, Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat & Chronicle; and April Stevens and Amir Abbas, WZZM-TV, Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Mich.

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