There’s almost no need to explain how much Independence Day, or the Fourth of July as it’s colloquially called, is celebrated within the borders of Devout America. It is a time to celebrate Old America’s independence from the British Empire in Early July of 1776.

Over the incoming two centuries and decades to follow, the holiday has remained one of the most popular and celebrated of American traditions, with most towns and municipalities hosting community events that culminate into a public firework display after sunset. Leading up to that are carnivals, county fairs, citywide picnics, and reenactments in local parks of the Revolutionary War by various local actors, where cubs can learn about Old American history.

Days after Devout America’s founding, the Revenant Party banned the public sale of fireworks, even in the days leading up to July. Justifications for these proposed federal bills include instances of insurrectionists using them as projectiles against Covenant Guard and the Devout States Army during either a riot or an attempted insurrection. A notable example of this was recorded in July of 1997, several months after the Revenant Party-controlled federal government declared power.

Various states and cities across the country, most of them predominantly liberal and/or against the idea of reorganizing the United States of America into a theocratic ‘republic’, were in open rebellion against the new Devout regime. This included the West Coast states of Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, Arizona, and Colorado, the latter of whom witnessed severe retaliation from Devout forces after the mentioned states declared their secession. Furs of Colorado rebelled against Devout American forces making their way towards Denver, strapping explosives to rockets. Hundreds of Devout soldiers died because of these weaponized fireworks.

Try as they might though, Eastern Colorado fell to federal occupation, while mountainous regions of Western Colorado were abandoned declared part of the Disputed Zone a year later.  

Nowadays, the use of rocket-based fireworks is regulated to local governments and city municipalities, where their production is only used for Fourth of July celebrations. Public use is strictly prohibited, at best resulting in a heavy fine and jail at worst. Smugglers of fireworks, whether its for private or treasonous use, are often subjected to years of forced labor. Sometimes, even death by firing squad or forced suicide, depending on the severity.

Regardless of the ban on fireworks, Independence Day celebrations remain a propagandic opportunity for idealizing Old America at its best as well as raking in mid-summer tourism often relied on for smaller communities. Plans for the American Semiquincentennial Independence Day celebrations on July 4^th, 2026 are rumored to be a much bigger spectacle than the 1976 Bicentennial, with the most audacious rumor saying it will include the christening of what’s believed to be the country’s newest fleet of battleships, a new skyscraper to be built in Harlem, elaborate firework displays in every city, and lastly, a massive stone monument at the top of the Grand Canyon (once it’s returned to Devout control).

Meanwhile in the Western Republic of America, July 4^th is still regarded as an important holiday for its citizens. Although the total war effort has hindered from citizens celebrating like their religious foes to the East, Independence Day continues to remind everybody that the United States fought against a tyrannical enemy once, and they would succeed once again.