Presidents’ Fourth of July Activities

The Fourth of July: A Day of Celebration and Reflection for Presidents

WASHINGTON—Throughout history, the Fourth of July has been a day for presidents to declare their independence from the public. Some have escaped to the beach, the mountains, the golf course, the farm, or the ranch. In the midst of the Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt even embarked on a fishing and working vacation in Hawaii.

However, this day has also provided an opportunity for presidents to immerse themselves in the heart of the nation’s celebrations.

Teddy Roosevelt captivated hundreds of thousands with his July Fourth oratory. John F. Kennedy commanded a massive crowd from Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. In 2019, Donald Trump orchestrated a grand spectacle with tanks, bombers, and other military machinery.

However, in recent times, presidents have taken a step back and allowed the people to revel in the festivities.

George W. Bush held a ceremony to welcome new citizens. Barack Obama hosted a South Lawn barbecue for troops. Bill Clinton witnessed the release of a young bald eagle named Freedom into the wild on the shores of Chesapeake Bay.

In 2021, Joe Biden gathered over 1,000 people on the White House South Lawn for a burger feast and fireworks display.

Let’s take a look at what some presidents have done on the Fourth of July:

• 1777: John Adams, in the midst of the Revolutionary War, describes a day and night of spontaneous celebration in Philadelphia, with parades, fireworks, bonfires, and music.
• 1791: George Washington celebrates in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with an address, fine cuisine, and a leisurely stroll around town.
• 1798: John Adams reviews a military parade in Philadelphia.
• 1801: Thomas Jefferson presides over the first Fourth of July public reception at the White House.
• 1822: James Monroe spends the day at his farm in Virginia.
• 1826: Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson pass away on this July Fourth.
• 1831: James Monroe, the fifth president, dies on this July Fourth.
• 1848: James Polk witnesses the laying of the cornerstone of the Washington Monument.
• 1850: Zachary Taylor attends festivities at the Washington Monument grounds but falls ill afterward.
• 1861: Abraham Lincoln sends a message to Congress defending his invocation of war powers.
• 1868: Andrew Johnson grants amnesty to those who fought for the Confederacy.
• 1902: Teddy Roosevelt addresses a crowd of 200,000 people in Pittsburgh.
• 1914: Woodrow Wilson declares, “Our country, right or wrong,” at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
• 1928: Calvin Coolidge goes trout fishing in Wisconsin.
• 1930: Herbert Hoover vacations by the Rapidan River in Virginia.
• 1934: Franklin Roosevelt embarks on a monthlong voyage and visit to Hawaii.
• 1946: Harry Truman relaxes at Roosevelt’s Shangri-La retreat, later renamed Camp David.
• 1951: Truman addresses a large crowd at the Washington Monument grounds during the Korean War.