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How Are You Celebrating July 4, Peekskill?

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Westchester County residents will spend this weekend grilling, partying, parading and lighting off fireworks in honor of Independence Day on July 4. 

The holiday, of course, signifies the date the continental congress approved the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. 

In 1777, Philadelphia marked the first anniversary of the Declaration by having warships offer up a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 original colonies, according to warmlyyours.com

John Adams wrote the Fourth of July "ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..."

After the war ended in 1783, Independence Day was celebrated in several cities, but didn't become a Federal Holiday until congress approved it in 1941.

As time has gone on, the barbecues have gotten larger and the fireworks displays more grandiose. 

But how will you be celebrating the United States' 239th birthday, Westchester?

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