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Jed Boal reportingIt's the Fourth of July and all around the state and the nation people celebrated the birth of this great nation.
People marked the holiday with summer fun from the mountains and lakes to backyard barbecues and city parks.
For many it's a tradition to get together with family scattered by time and place. For others, it's a chance to start a new tradition and reflect on the values that we share.
With the rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air, we give proof through the night that our flag is still there.
We all celebrate Independence Day in our own independent ways, but it wraps up for most of us with fireworks and a focus on what we enjoy as Americans.
Dawnell Despain: "First of all our freedom. These guys like the flag and everything else. We like just having fun."
Sonny Farias/Independence Day Celebrant: "If we didn't have any freedom, we wouldn't have any religious rights. We wouldn't have the right to do anything."
"If we weren't free, the world would be nothing."
The Magna 4th of July Celebration is billed as the oldest in the valley. The community launched the tradition in 1910. This year, volunteers gave new energy to the town heritage.
Lisa Henrie/Magna Chamber: "There's a lot of diversity out here, people don't realize that. With the mining that began here in the 1850's and established a small community, it's just grown on that generation upon generation."
At Sugar House Park, people staked out comfortable spots in the shade, tried to keep cool, and kicked back to listen to music and enjoy the spirit of the day.
Paul Johnson/Salt Lake Native: "My ancestors died for this country."
For many Americans, independence becomes more important, when our troops are at war. Our freedoms...more precious.
Paul Johnson/Salt Lake Native: "We're a country where we can worship what we want, when we want. We can be tolerant of different beliefs, even if it's sexual or religious. We can live together and grow together. It's the greatest place in the world to live."
