Don't go shopping on July 4th? That's when all the BIG sales are! July 4th IS a holiday and everyone celebrates, but I don't see how shopping on that day means it isn't a special holiday. Everyone around here is getting 4 days off. Maybe not people who work in stores because they are having such big sales, but other workers are off for the day, if not for the entire 4 days. I respect your opinion, but everything's on sale and well, we usually shop on this day if we're not gone on vacation. Its when we are all free, have no work, the whole family's at home, and we usually go to the park or walk in the forests nearby, and sometimes go shopping for the sales. In the evening, we enjoy watching the fireworks from home. (We live right by a park where the city does fireworks every year. Its so close to our house that from the window, it looks like the fireworks are falling on us. Very beautiful.) Other than the fireworks, its a long weekend to spend time with the family on go on little trips here and there for us. Again, I respect your opinion, but I don't see how shopping makes it any less special. Its our independance, and everyone knows that. I just don't believe shopping makes it any other day, other than what it is. Around here, EVERYONE shops, and the fireworks and 4 days weekend is what makes it different from other days, what marks the independance. If you mean that the shop workers need a vacation on this day too, then I truely understand what you're saying. They deserve the day off as well.