Patriotism abounds in the land of golden opportunities we know and love by the name, California. With over 40 parades on or around July 4, 2017, you probably won’t have to go far to share in community spirit. The United States commemorates the adoption of the July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence in which Continental Congress declared 13 American colonies were the new nation –United States of America — no longer part of the British Empire. The next year 13 gunshots were fired to honor the event. Independence Day is one of California’s and America’s most celebrated holidays.