Happy Independence Days!
Sparklers and hot dogs aren’t the only ways to celebrate freedom. Here’s how natives of a few other countries enjoy their Independence days.
Pass the Lefse
In Norway Independence Day is celebrated on May 17. The highlight is the children’s parade, which covers as many streets as humanly possible. The holiday is also celebrated in many Norwegian immigrant communities including Petersburg, Alabama, where there’s a herring toss, locals selling lefse, and even a pack of Vikings—thanks to residents who really get into the holiday spirit.
C’mon, Let’s Salsa
Independence Day takes place on September 15 in Costa Rica. And since Los Angeles is home to the largest community of Central Americans in the United States, they make sure it’s an occasion to remember. You’ll find traditional music, salsa dancing, and a variety of tasty vittles to enjoy.
Party On and On
When a day’s not nearly long enough to celebrate, why not extend the fun over a month? That’s how the Chileans roll with their Independence celebration called Mes de la Patria each September. The most popular events and activities are dancing, kite-flying, and flag-waving.
About the Author
From her first screening of E.T. at the tender age of 6, Christa A. Banister has been hooked on the movie-going experience, which turned out to be a good thing, as she’s now a film critic and full-time freelance writer. When she’s not checking out the latest flick, she’s a fan of live music, cooking, traveling, and beating her husband at Scrabble.
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