We love how Charleston celebrates the birthday of our nation.

It's great fun to take a stroll along the battery after dark on Independence Day. From there we can see fireworks that are being launched from the Charleston RiverDogs Stadium, from Patriots Point and from the Isle of Palms. It's even better being a spectator from one of the many rooftop bars in downtown Charleston. Check out Charleston's Independence Day celebration events and firework schedule.

Patriots Point & Charleston RiverDogs Stadium at Joseph P. Riley Park

The Fourth of July is definitely the biggest day of the year for fireworks in the United States. The 2nd US President, John Adams, wrote a letter to his wife on July 3, 1776, with instructions on how future Independence Day celebrations should be held. "Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forever more". The first-ever official Fourth of July fireworks display took place in 1777 over Philadelphia.

Drayton Hall Plantation, The Charleston Museum

William Henry Drayton, whose father was Royal Judge John Drayton (builder of Drayton Hall), supported the fireworks idea. As a Congressional delegate in 1779, he backed the request from Jen Laugcay, a French officer, asking Congress for permission to exhibit fireworks during the Independence Day celebration that year. Drayton said, “it had been the practice of all nations ancient and modern to celebrate particular days by festivity". Since that time, fireworks have been associated with the nation's birthday and in 1791 the holiday was first called Independence Day.