Spectators watch as fireworks are launched over the East River and the Empire State Building during the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show, Sunday, July 4, in the Queens borough of New York.
In pictures: Americans celebrate the Fourth of July
Spectators watch as fireworks are launched over the East River and the Empire State Building during the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show, Sunday, July 4, in the Queens borough of New York.
John Minchillo/AP

Updated 11:05 AM EDT, Mon July 5, 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic limited Fourth of July celebrations around the United States last year, with people staying home to prevent the spread of the virus.

But now that more than 150 million American adults are fully vaccinated, the holiday looks more like it used to: family gatherings, parades, barbecues and, of course, lots of fireworks.

The White House is hosting a celebration as well to mark the nation's headway in fighting Covid-19. Roughly 1,000 guests are expected to attend, making it the largest event to be hosted at the White House since the start of the new administration.

People fill the National Mall to watch the fireworks display during Independence Day celebrations on July 4, in Washington, DC.
People fill the National Mall to watch the fireworks display during Independence Day celebrations on July 4, in Washington, DC.
Samuel Corum/Getty Images
NYPD officers watch fireworks light up the night sky as seen from Hunter's Park South on July 4, in New York.
NYPD officers watch fireworks light up the night sky as seen from Hunter's Park South on July 4, in New York.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images
President Joe Biden poses for a selfie with granddaughter Finnegan Biden, from left, first lady Jill Biden, granddaughter Naomi Biden and daughter Ashley Biden as they view fireworks during an Independence Day celebration on the South Lawn of the White House.
President Joe Biden poses for a selfie with granddaughter Finnegan Biden, from left, first lady Jill Biden, granddaughter Naomi Biden and daughter Ashley Biden as they view fireworks during an Independence Day celebration on the South Lawn of the White House.
Patrick Semansky/AP
Fireworks light up the sky over Broadway during the Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th event in Nashville, Tennessee.
Fireworks light up the sky over Broadway during the Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th event in Nashville, Tennessee.
Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean/Imagn
Spectators watch the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show, late Sunday, July 4, in New York.
Spectators watch the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show, late Sunday, July 4, in New York.
John Minchillo/AP
Panama City Beach, Florida, celebrates with fireworks all along the 27-mile stretch of sand Sunday night.
Panama City Beach, Florida, celebrates with fireworks all along the 27-mile stretch of sand Sunday night.
Mike Fender/The News Herald/Imagn
Spectators watch the annual Independence Day fireworks display outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia on July 4.
Spectators watch the annual Independence Day fireworks display outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia on July 4.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
Fireworks explode over the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and US Capitol, in Washington, on Sunday, July 4.
Fireworks explode over the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and US Capitol, in Washington, on Sunday, July 4.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
People sit on their car during the fireworks show at The Ranch events complex in Loveland, Colo. on Sunday, July 4.
People sit on their car during the fireworks show at The Ranch events complex in Loveland, Colo. on Sunday, July 4.
Bethany Baker/The Coloradoan/Imagn
Visitors gather on the Ellipse near the White House on Sunday, July 4.
Visitors gather on the Ellipse near the White House on Sunday, July 4.
Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Young kids dressed up get ready to ride in an Independence Day parade celebration on July 4, in Brighton, Michigan.
Young kids dressed up get ready to ride in an Independence Day parade celebration on July 4, in Brighton, Michigan.
Emily Elconin/Getty Images
People gather at Coney Island beach in New York City on Sunday.
People gather at Coney Island beach in New York City on Sunday.
David Dee Delgado/Getty Images
A vendor sells ice cream from a truck near the White House on Sunday, July 4.
A vendor sells ice cream from a truck near the White House on Sunday, July 4.
Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Men dressed as Revolutionary War soldiers fire a volley prior to the baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins on Sunday, in Atlanta.
Men dressed as Revolutionary War soldiers fire a volley prior to the baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins on Sunday, in Atlanta.
Ben Margot/AP
Alexandru Stepan holds his son, Daniel, during a naturalization ceremony at George Washington's Mount Vernon in Virginia, on Sunday, July 4.
Alexandru Stepan holds his son, Daniel, during a naturalization ceremony at George Washington's Mount Vernon in Virginia, on Sunday, July 4.
Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images
Defending Champion Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut competes during the 2021 Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island on July 4.
Defending Champion Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut competes during the 2021 Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island on July 4.
John Lamparski/Getty Images
Fans watch the fourth inning of the game between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park on Sunday, July 4.
Fans watch the fourth inning of the game between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park on Sunday, July 4.
Scott Taetsch/USA Today Sports
A participant chugs beer during the 47th annual Hermosa Beach Ironman competition in California. Competitors run a mile, paddle a surfboard a mile and chug a six pack of beer.
A participant chugs beer during the 47th annual Hermosa Beach Ironman competition in California. Competitors run a mile, paddle a surfboard a mile and chug a six pack of beer.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
A woman grills food at McCarren Park in New York, on Sunday.
A woman grills food at McCarren Park in New York, on Sunday.
Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images
People watch fireworks from a park in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, July 3.
People watch fireworks from a park in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, July 3.
Charlie Riedel/AP
People gather at Rehoboth Beach for July Fourth celebrations on Saturday, in Delaware.
People gather at Rehoboth Beach for July Fourth celebrations on Saturday, in Delaware.
Chuck Snyder/USA Today Network
People carry an American flag during the Coronado Fourth of July Parade on Saturday, in Coronado, California.
People carry an American flag during the Coronado Fourth of July Parade on Saturday, in Coronado, California.
Daniel Knighton/Getty Images
A teenager wearing a Bald Eagle mask looks out from a decorated golf cart during the annual Bicycle and Golf cart parade celebrating Independence Day on July 3 in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina.
A teenager wearing a Bald Eagle mask looks out from a decorated golf cart during the annual Bicycle and Golf cart parade celebrating Independence Day on July 3 in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina.
Richard Ellis/ZUMA
Children watch the LibertyFest Parade in celebration of the Fourth of July in Edmond, Oklahoma, Saturday, July 3.
Children watch the LibertyFest Parade in celebration of the Fourth of July in Edmond, Oklahoma, Saturday, July 3.
Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman/Imagn
Kate Kendall and her daughter Georgia, 5, participated in the annual Converse Heights Fourth of July Parade, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Saturday morning, July 3.
Kate Kendall and her daughter Georgia, 5, participated in the annual Converse Heights Fourth of July Parade, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Saturday morning, July 3.
TIm Kimzey/Spartanburg Herald-Journal/Imagn
Bobby Florez lights fireworks with his nephew Kaden Perez, 5, as a lightning storm passes by in the distance Friday night, July 2, in Odessa, Texas.
Bobby Florez lights fireworks with his nephew Kaden Perez, 5, as a lightning storm passes by in the distance Friday night, July 2, in Odessa, Texas.
Eli Hartman/AP
People wearing tin foil hats watch the Abduction parade during the UFO Festival on July 2 in Roswell, New Mexico. The festival returned this year during the July 4th holiday weekend following last year's cancellation due to the pandemic.
People wearing tin foil hats watch the Abduction parade during the UFO Festival on July 2 in Roswell, New Mexico. The festival returned this year during the July 4th holiday weekend following last year's cancellation due to the pandemic.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
Maria Laura Limpias Chavez, left, of Bolivia, Sahara Loffsner, of Colombia, and fellow new American citizens, take the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony on the flight deck of the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, California, on Friday, July 2.
Maria Laura Limpias Chavez, left, of Bolivia, Sahara Loffsner, of Colombia, and fellow new American citizens, take the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony on the flight deck of the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, California, on Friday, July 2.
Ray Chavez/The Mercury News/Getty Images
Travelers wait in line for TSA security screening at Orlando International Airport as the July 4th holiday weekend begins.
Travelers wait in line for TSA security screening at Orlando International Airport as the July 4th holiday weekend begins.
Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images