Life, liberty and the pursuit of fireworks

Hey there, Short List readers! 👋 Laura here. Happy Independence Day! We’re taking a break from our regular news rundown today to celebrate the holiday. Enjoy! And I hope you have a safe, happy Fourth of July. 🇺🇸

🎶 But first: Something for everyone! Hit play on this: The ultimate Fourth of July music playlist, from "God Bless America" to "Firework."

📲 The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more .

How did we get here?

Nice weather, family barbeques, parades, fireworks and red, white and blue everything ­­­– these are time-honored and beloved traditions for Independence Day in America. We know it now as a day of patriotism and time off work, but the Fourth of July began the journey to becoming a quintessentially American holiday in 1776, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

Patriotic traditions: Though some traditions have changed or disappeared over time – hosting mock funerals for the king of England, for example – many have remained true to their roots in the almost 250 years since the declaration was signed.

🎆 Why do we have fireworks and feast? See the origins of the festivities.

🎥 Watch: The history behind your favorite July 4th traditions.

Avoid the burn unit!

As always, the holiday is marked with parades, cookouts and of course, endless amounts of fireworks. Yes, fireworks are awesome. Yes, fireworks are fun. But fireworks can also be super dangerous! Accidents lead to thousands of hospital trips each year and can even be fatal. 👉 What you should know before lighting fireworks.

🧨 Fireworks tip: Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of fire or other misadventure.

• How often do people get hurt by fireworks? Here's a look at the numbers.
• Tips to keep your pets calm during fireworks.

Asking the important questions

• Is potato salad healthy? What about hot dogs ?
• Can you buy alcohol today? A state-by-state guide.
• Don't show up empty-handed: What do you bring to the cookout ?
• Banks, post offices: What’s open and closed today ?
• Need a trip t o the grocery store? See hours, details .
• Think these songs are patriotic? Think again.

Support the Short List and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.

Baby, you’re a drone light show 🎶

There's a buzz in the air − literally − and it's turning the night sky into a blank canvas for a growing medium: art and animation produced by drones. After a decade of advances in what drones can do, swarm drone light shows are really hitting their stride, with more and more public spectacles swapping out fireworks for flying robots, like Super Bowl halftime shows, baseball games, weddings and, of course, Fourth of July celebrations. 🌌 See how drone shows work.

Feel sorta weird about July 4th?

It's a time of fireworks, frivolity and ... fearing the end of democracy? Well, yes, for some. The last few years have rattled and riled up many Americans, with the past few weeks being particularly worrisome. Between former President Donald Trump's felony conviction and President Joe Biden's puzzling debate performance, it might feel difficult to truly celebrate our nation.

The truth is, Independence Day can be tough for Americans who have felt unwelcome in the U.S. or jaded by its politics, though experts say there is room for personal growth in such discomfort. And if you find these opinions unpatriotic, at least try hearing them out before making snap judgments. 🇺🇸 What to do if you’re feeling unpatriotic.

Short + sweet

• 🛒 Add to cart: Shop the best deals at Walmart.
• 🍨 If you're like me, you love a good gadget. Check these out for summer.
• 🦋 America! The land of the free and the home of Dolly Parton. Why Dollywood is the perfect destination.

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hi: laura@usatoday.com. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Life, liberty and the pursuit of fireworks