In Greater Boston, the Fourth of July includes a number of annual traditions: music at the Hatch Shell, the presentation of the Declaration of Independence, and the reading of Frederick Douglass’s speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?

In July 4, 1777 the Sons of Liberty set fireworks off over Boston Common to celebrate one year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia also set off fireworks that evening, and from there it grew into the celebrations we know today.

Fireworks capped off the festivities, which featured performances by Leslie Odom Jr., LeAnn Rimes, and Bell Biv DeVoe alongside the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra under conductor Keith Lockhart. The post Scenes from the Esplanade: Boston celebrates the Fourth appeared first on Boston.