(continued from previous page)
Presidents have celebrated Independence Day in a variety of ways, and Trump’s departure from the flashy precedent Obama set is still in keeping with the country’s highest elected office.

President George W. Bush celebrated Independence Day in 2006 away from Washington, D.C., at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, where he honored military members and their service to their country. President Bill Clinton celebrated his last Independence Day as president by participating in the International Naval Review in New York City. President George H. W. Bush attended a Pepsi 400 race in Daytona Beach in 1992.

Close

President Ronald Reagan celebrated the holiday in 1981 at the White House while recovering from the March 30 assassination attempt carried out against him, but in 1982, Reagan watched in California as the Columbia space shuttle successfully landed. President Jimmy Carter delivered a speech at the NAACP’s 71st convention in 1980 in Miami Beach while his administration held a picnic on the South Lawn. And President Dwight D. Eisenhower enjoyed playing golf on Independence Day.

No president wants to repeat what happened to President Zachary Taylor in 1850 on the Fourth of July. After consuming large quantities of cherries and milk throughout Independence Day, Taylor suddenly contracted a digestive disease — and died five days later. Although none were current presidents at the time, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe all died on the national holiday.

The day’s festivities have always varied from president to president, and Trump has signaled that his will be focused on veterans — and cutting back on flair.[lz_pagination]