© NL Beeld

A fabulous freedom float -

In 1923, a parade float rides through Takoma Park, MD, with children dressed as major American symbols such as the Statue of Liberty and a Founding Father.

© NL Beeld

A salute to Lady Liberty - Dressed as the Statue of Liberty and the female symbol of the United States, 'Columbia,' two women pose at a park across from the White House in Washington, D.C., in 1919.

© NL Beeld

Commemorating Columbia -

A woman dressed as Columbia stands with dancers and American flags near the White House in 1919.

© NL Beeld

Pint-size patriotism - A young girl sits on a car decorated like the American flag in Vale, OR.

© NL Beeld

Costume craziness - Children dressed in American-themed attire ride bicycles at the Vale, OR, Independence Day parade in 1941.

© NL Beeld

Enjoying the ride - American Legion rides on top of a decorated pickup truck during a Watertown, WI, Independence Day celebration in 1941.

© NL Beeld

Fireworks for days - A group of teenagers chat around a fireworks stand near Milwaukee, WI, in 1941.

© NL Beeld

Paying tribute to America's Native history - A float honoring Pocahontas, Captain John Smith, and the Indigenous Powhatan tribe rolls by during an Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C. in 1916.

© NL Beeld

Dressed for the occassion - Children don striped costumes at a Fourth of July celebration in Takoma Park, MD, in 1923.

© NL Beeld

Letting the freedom flag fly - A young boy in a patriotic outfit waves the American flag on top of a decorated car in Vale, OR, on July 4, 1941.

© NL Beeld

A parade of patriots - Soldiers march through the streets of Vale, OR, in July 1941.

© NL Beeld

Resting from the Fourth festivities - Sleepy picnickers take a nap on the grass in 1941 at an Independence Day celebration in Vale, OR.

© NL Beeld

Games galore - Crowds watch a game being played at a Fourth of July gathering at Helena Island, SC, in 1939.

© NL Beeld

Riding for democracy - Members of a motorcycle club chitchat at a Fourth of July event in Vale, OR.

© NL Beeld

Flags on flags on flags - Young children sit on a flag-covered float during a Fourth of July parade in Vale, OR.

© NL Beeld

A picnic of patriots - An Independence Day picnic in Custer County, CO, in 1887.

© NL Beeld

Seeing the spectacle - Crowds of people gather around an Independence Day parade in Watertown, WI, in 1941.

© NL Beeld

Marching madness - A marching band strides down the streets of Watertown, WI, during a Fourth of July parade in 1941.

© NL Beeld

A farmer's family day - A farmer and his baby daughter attend a Fourth of July festival in Vale, OR.

© NL Beeld

Decked out in red, white, and blue - A young girl holding a flag wears an American-themed outfit with a hat bearing the word "Liberty" in 1916.

© NL Beeld

Riding in style - A Betsy Ross-inspired horse-drawn carriage rolls down the road during a Washington, D.C. Independence Day celebration in 1916.

© NL Beeld

Honoring history - A "Birth of Old Glory" float at Takoma Park, MD, on July 4, 1923.

© NL Beeld

Packing in the people -

A massive crowd gathers around The Ellipse, a park located just south of the White House fence in July 1919.

Also check out what to put on your grill this Fourth of July!

© NL Beeld