US Embassy in Nairobi to Observe Independence Day with Thursday Closure
The United States Embassy in Nairobi has announced it will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in observance of US Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July.
This federal holiday commemorates the Declaration of Independence, ratified on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.
“Independence Day is marked to celebrate the history, government, and traditions of the US,” the embassy statement read. Celebrations in the US typically include fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, and concerts.
Many Americans also participate in baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and various public and private events.
A unique tradition is the “salute to the union,” where a gun salute is fired at noon by military bases to honor each state in the union.
The holiday is rooted in the American Revolution, with the legal separation of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain occurring on July 2, 1776, followed by the approval of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.
This period is also one of the busiest travel times in the US, as many Americans take advantage of the extended holiday weekend for vacations.
US Embassy in Nairobi to Observe Independence Day with Thursday Closure
