The Fourth of July, Independence Day in the United States, is a time of public celebration and spectacle. In particular, it occasions the public display of values central to the nation: history, citizenship, unity, etc. Display, of course, depends on spectating; performance is for the benefit of an audience. Below are some historical images related to audiences at the Fourth of July celebrations.
Fire Balloons and Fireworks
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| Raising a Fire Balloon, 1871 |
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| The Illumination of Union Square, New York, 1876 |
Speeches and Dedications
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| Fourth of July in the Country, 1867 |
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| Fourth of July Celebration, Woodstock, CT, 1870 |
