Day to raise toast to a ‘great nation’

TDT | Manama          

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Julia Cassano

Fireworks, barbeques, red, white, and blue, and good food are all things you’ll find at any classic Fourth of July celebration in the US. And although the Kingdom is a majority Muslim country, American expats can freely celebrate and commemorate the special day as they please!

The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, marks the anniversary of when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

The US Embassy in Bahrain wished all American citizens in Bahrain and the US a happy Independence Day. The statement by Steven C. Bondy, Ambassador of the US to the Kingdom of Bahrain, said: “My team and I at the Embassy are proud to carry out the work we do and mark our nation’s birthday.

We also look forward to strengthening the historic friendship between the US and Bahrain as we continue to work side-by-side to realise our shared aspirations. On behalf of the United States Embassy in the Kingdom of Bahrain, I wish all my fellow American citizens here and everywhere a very happy Independence Day!”

The US Embassy in Kuwait and the UAE also shared posts commemorating America’s Independence Day. Posts shared included videos and pictures of the American flag, parades, fireworks, picnics, and family and friends sharing special quality time with one another – which are all important traditions on the day.

Americans celebrate the holiday in many ways, usually with fireworks, picnics, fairgrounds, barbecues, and most of all, good food! For many Americans, marking the holiday means to view a stunning display of different fireworks filled with flickering lights and booming sounds, stirring the ultimate sense of patriotic pride on America’s Independence Day.

The Daily Tribune interviewed American expats living in the Kingdom to get a feel of their celebrations in Bahrain for the special day. “The American community in Bahrain gathers every year to celebrate our American Independence Day. This year, Independence Day fell on a Tuesday so we will save our bigger celebrations for the weekend, but at night, we will celebrate with a small barbecue with some friends and family,” said Bahrain resident Cody from Virginia.

“It’s all about the food,” Stephanie, a Bahrain resident from California, said. Delicious dishes are not hard to come by on a traditional Fourth of July celebration. This is a day where family and friends come together to share great food, celebrate, and toast the great nation.

“Hot dogs, hamburgers, mac ‘n cheese, biscuits and gravy, quesadillas, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, and corn on the cob are all delicious foods that would be on a traditional American Fourth of July!” Stephanie explained.

She said that her family goes all out every year, even in Bahrain. “Bahrain is like a home away from home. Although we aren’t in the US, we can still have fun and celebrate our holidays and traditions and slowly through the years, we have invited Bahrainis into our celebrations, as they have invited us into their traditions, celebrations, and holidays,” she said.