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Americans reflect on meaning of Independence Day

Savoring freedoms and hoping others worldwide will soon be able to do the same
AMERICA'S independence holiday, July 4th, is a chance for
Americans to take the day off, have a picnic, go to the beach or take advantage of sales at the shopping mall.
But for many Americans, it is also a time to reflect on the historic meaning of July 4th.
Music and Barbeque Music, whether it's played by street musicians or members of the National Symphony Orchestra, has traditionally been part of the annual Fourth of July celebration, along with barbeques and
fireworks.
And, for many Americans, the holiday weekend is also a time to think about history and reflect on what it means to be an American.
For some families, that means coming to Washington, D.C., to visit the city's historic monuments and museums. John Carothers, from Santa Cruz, California, says the nation's capital is especially meaningful to him at this time of the year. "It's really wonderful to come here and see the bed of the government that we now
live within," he said.
Reflecting on America's Past The Carothers family visited the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, where one of the highlights is the almost 200-year-old Star-Spangled Banner. The hand-sewn flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became the U.S. national anthem.
Seeing it was one of the highlights of the trip for 14-year-old Milena Carothers.
"It was much larger than 1 thought it would be," she says. "And it's amazing how it's pretty much well-preserved after so long. You can still tell what it is, not much damage to it. Really amazing."
The American History Museum expects to welcome more than 100,000 visitors over the holiday weekend. “1 think July 4th is the time that people come and they really want to connect with American history and with their stories," says Andrea Lowther, Director of Visitor Services for the Museum. "And so, of course, they do come to see those icons."
In addition to the Star-Spangled Banner, those historic icons include the hat worn by Abraham Lincoln the night he was assassinated. And the writing box Thomas Jefferson used while drafting the Declaration of Independence. (Abridged)