Happy 4th of July! 

Holidays on the Net invites you to celebrate America’s birthday with us. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence — and a nation was born!

Whether you enjoy BBQs, fireworks or picnics in the park, we’ve got plenty of fun for your 4th of July. To help your family get into the independence spirit, we also have a trove of craft projects and coloring pictures that are perfect for kids young and old.

If you’re a history buff, Independence Day is probably one of your favorite holidays. What better way to relive our nation’s history than to spend its birthday visiting the national monuments and memorials in Washington, DC?

Or you can visit our site for a refresher on the history of the Pledge of Allegiance, the timeline of the American Flag and the full text and signers of the Declaration of Independence. And if you’re a trivia freak, you don’t want to miss our Did You Know? Facts and Figures about July 4th.

Are you planning to host or attend a 4th of July cookout (would it be July 4th if you didn’t?!) Be sure to peruse all our great grill recipes — plus our patriotic pastries, like Mom’s Favorite Apple Pie.

This July 4th, 2008, America will be celebrating its 232nd birthday. We look forward to hosting you at our biggest birthday bash yet!

Happy Holidays,
Holidays on the Net

One of America’s greatest treasures is its National Park system. Today there are nearly 400 national parks in every state in the Union except Delaware.

So join us as we continue our countdown to Independence Day 2008 with a look at our top ten national parks. Why not visit one of them this 4th of July to truly experience America?

Everglades National Park, Florida
America’s largest wetland, the Everglades National Park is home to a diversity of endangered (and dangerous) animals. Furry and scaly friends include the American crocodile, the West Indian manatee, the Florida panther and 27 species of snakes (only 4 are poisonous, though).

If you’re looking for a little adventure this Independence Day, why not take advantage of one of the Everglade’s 47 designated wilderness camp sights — most of which are accessible only by boat.

As you might imagine, summer weather in the Everglades is hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees and humidity exceeding 90 percent. Rainy season (and not coincidentally, mosquito season) is June through October, so bring your bug spray. The Everglades National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day.

Entrance Fees: $10 per private car, good for one week.

For more information: Visit www.everglades.national-park.com or call the Visitor Information at (305) 242-7700.

Check back each day for another Top 10 National Park (or you can cheat and check out our top 10 parks here).

photo credit: via flickr

Air Conditioning Appreciation Days (07/03-08/15)
Where would we be without air conditioning? Sweating our asses off that’s for sure!

So take a moment during these next few weeks and give a thanks to those geniuses who sweated away to bring us the cool sweet, sweet air conditioning we couldn’t live without.

*photo credit: pmsandvodka via flickr

One of America’s greatest treasures is its National Park system. Today there are nearly 400 national parks in every state in the Union except Delaware.

So join us as we continue our countdown to Independence Day 2008 with a look at our top ten national parks. Why not visit one of them this 4th of July to truly experience America?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, Tennessee
Ancient mountains, rich deciduous forest and a diversity of animal life characterize the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which sits astride the North Carolina - Tennessee border.

With over 800 miles of trails, the park is a hiker’s paradise, but visitors also enjoy fishing, picnicking, bird watching and even driving through the park. The Great Smoky Mountains are a sanctuary for protected animals, including the park’s 1,500 bears.

The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, although some access roads and campgrounds close in winter. If you’re planning an Independence Day trip, you’ll be in good company: The Smoky Mountains are America’s most visited national park.

Entrance Fees: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the only major parks in the country that doesn’t charge entrance fees.

For more information: Visit http://www.nps.gov/grsm/ or call Visitor Information at (865) 436-1200.

Check back each day for another Top 10 National Park (or you can cheat and check out our top 10 parks here).

photo credit: via flickr

I Forgot Day
Oh boy! Did you forget something? Well we’re 1/2 way through the year and today’s the perfect time to make up for all those special occasions you’ve missed.

So whether you’ve missed birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or whatever; make up for it today by sending that belated greeting card or making that special phone call.

But you better get going before you start screwing up again. 2009 isn’t that far away!

(Free eGreeting cards @ Holiday eCards on the Net)

photo credit: KRISnFRED via flickr