U.S. Independence Day 2011

The Empire State Building, illuminated with red, white and blue lights, is seen from across the East River in the Queens borough of New York, backlit by fireworks exploding over the Hudson River, during the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks show on Monday, July 4, 2011 in New York. AP / Kathy Kmonicek 

 

 

The United States Marine Corps War Memorial, better known as the Iwo Jima Memorial, is seen in Arlington, Va., Monday July 4, 2011, as fireworks burst over Washington, during the annual Fourth of July display. The Washington Monument and the Capitol can be seen in the distance. AP / Carolyn Kaster

Joseph Sewell, 23, of Minneapolis holds an American flag in the air before watching The Macy's Independence Day Fireworks on the Hudson River from Hoboken N.J. on Monday, July 4, 2011. AP / Andrew Miller

Independence Day fireworks illuminate the sky over the Hudson River and a portion of Manhattan's west side Monday, July 4, 2011, in New York. AP / Karly Domb Sadof

Spectators watch the annual Independence Day fireworks over the Hudson River, Monday, July 4, 2011, in New York. A portion Manhattan's west side was closed to vehicular traffic, allowing pedestrians to camp out and wait for the 40,000 shells launched after dusk from a barge on the river. AP / John Minchillo

Spectators watch the annual Independence Day fireworks over the Hudson River, Monday, July 4, 2011, in New York. AP / John Minchillo

Spectators watch the fireworks display over the Hudson River, Monday, July 4, 2011, in New York. AP / John Minchillo

Spectators watch the annual Independence Day fireworks over the Hudson River, Monday, July 4, 2011, in New York. AP / John Minchillo

Fireworks explode over the Hudson River in New York, Monday, July 4, 2011. AP / Seth Wenig

Spectators watch fireworks explode over the Hudson River from 42nd street during Macy's annual 4th of July fireworks show on Monday, July 4, 2011 in New York. AP / Bill Kostroun

Fireworks explode behind a life-size, inflatable head of the Statue of Liberty on Monday, July 4, 2011 at Gas Works Park in Seattle during the Family 4th on Lake Union celebration. seattlepi.com / Joshua Trujillo

Fireworks light up the night sky behind the Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse Monday, July 4, 2011, in St. Louis. AP / Jeff Roberson

Fireworks illuminate the sky for the Fourth of July celebration following the baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers, Monday, July 4, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers won 13-4. AP / Jim Cowsert

Julia Jones, 5, spins a glow stick during a fireworks display in Alachua, Fla., on Monday, July 4, 2011. The Gainesville Sun / Matt Stamey

Fireworks fill the sky over Honolulu Monday night Jly 4, 2011 for the Independence Day celebration. Thousands of Oahu residents and visitors gathered at Magic Island and Ala Moana Beach Park to see the annual Fourth of July fireworks show. AP / Eugene Tanner

Tourists watch Independence Day weekend fireworks explode over Caesar's Palace as the Bellagio fountain show plays simultaneously, Sunday, July 3, 2011, in Las Vegas. AP / Julie Jacobson

Spc. Thomas LaBonte, 24, center, of San Diego, Calif., of the U.S. Army's 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry Regiment based in Hawaii, looks on during a fireworks display in honor of Independence Day Monday, July 4, 2011 at Forward Operating Base Bostick in Kunar province, Afghanistan. AP / David Goldman

Boy Scouts of America and Cub Scout troops carry a large American flag during the LibertyFest Fourth of July parade in Edmond, Okla., Monday, July 4, 2011. The Oklahoman / Sarah Phipps

Dr. John Garber shoots parachutes into the air for kids to catch during Independence Day celebration children's games at WIntersmith Park in Ada, Okla., Monday, July 4, 2011. Ada Evening News / Richard R Barron

"Lady Liberty" Bonnie Johnson, 70, tows grandson Turner Johnson, foreground,16 months, in the annual Children's Parade on Monday, July 4, 2011, in Wake Forest, N.C. Johnson has been portraying Lady Liberty for 27 years, and this is Turner's first parade. AP / Allen Breed

People play in the Swann Memorial Fountain, at Logan Square, in view of City Hall, right, after an Independence Day celebration Monday, July 4, 2011, in Philadelphia. The U.S. celebrated the 235th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. AP / Matt Rourke

Connie Vanhorn, left, and Jeff Vanhorn relax with their two dogs Jackie, front and Baxter on 42nd Street in East Sacramento, Calif. on Monday, July 4, 2011. They were on their way to join friends and celebrate the Fourth of July in the Fabulous 40's neighborhood of East Sacramento. sacbee.com / Renee C. Byer

Josh Wood of Los Angeles goes airborn on his snowboard during his attempt to make a successful crossing of Lake Cushing at Squaw Valley ski resort in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday, July 3, 2011. sacbee.com / Randy Pench

Spreckels firefighter Stan Overweser hangs a red white and blue banner around one of the Walnut trees that line Spreckles Boulevard in Spreckles, Calif. on Sunday July 3, 2011. Overweser was preparing for the annual Independence Day Celebration on Monday. Monterey County Herald / David Royal

Amary Johanna Gomez, 5, drives her cousin Aiden Valdez, 11 mos., in her decked out jeep as her father, Manuel Gomez, upper right and uncle, Michael Pereira walk down North Street during the Children's Parade at the beginning of the 15th Annual Independence Day Celebration in Soledad, Calif. on Sunday July 3, 2011. The event featured fireworks at dusk. Monterey County Herald / David Royal

A large American flag hangs from the flight deck of the USS Hornet during Fourth of July festivities in Alameda, Calif., Monday, July 4, 2011. AP / Jeff Chiu

Eight-month-old Kensie Kerbs looks up her flags while waiting for her first 4th of July parade to begin, Monday, July 4, 2011 in Waco, Texas. The Waco Tribune-Herald / Rod Aydelotte

Kylee Wicker laughs while holding onto a mechanical bull during the 21st annual Freedom Has a Birthday Fourth of July celebration Monday, July 4, 2011 at Washington Park in Laramie, Wyo. Laramie Boomerang / Andy Carpenean

The Wetumpka City Pops perform at the city's Fourth of July celebration at the park in downtown Wetumpka, Ala., on Monday, July 4, 2011. Montgomery Advertiser / Amanda Sowards

Spectators wave flags as the USS Constitution fires its cannons off Castle Island in Boston on its annual 4th of July turn around in Boston Harbor, Monday, July 4, 2011. AP / Michael Dwyer

Members of the William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corp from Lexington, Mass., march in front of the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned war ship in the U.S. Navy, as part of Independence Day weekend events in Boston, Friday, July 1, 2011. AP / Michael Dwyer

Christine Krupkowski, of Arlington, Mass., blows bubbles while waiting for the start of the Boston Pops 4th of July concert rehearsal at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade in Boston, Sunday, July 3, 2011. AP / Michael Dwyer

Fireworks shoot skyward behind the Hatch Shell during the Boston Pops 4th of July concert rehearsal in Boston, Sunday, July 3, 2011. AP / Michael Dwyer