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Wednesday, Jul 4, 2012 4:45 PM UTC

AP PHOTOS: Americans celebrate the Fourth of July

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Topics: From the Wires,

AP PHOTOS: Americans celebrate the Fourth of JulySpectators wait for a fireworks display to begin at a Fourth of July celebration in Kansas City, Kan. Tuesday, July 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)(Credit: AP)

Across the United States, Americans are celebrating 236 years of independence with backyard barbeques, family gatherings and, of course, fireworks.

While many celebrations have been scaled-down or canceled due to weather-related power outages and concerns of spreading wildfires amid dry, hot weather, many are still celebrating, albeit in less-than-traditional ways.

Hundreds of thousands from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic are spending the Fourth of July like America’s founders did in 1776, without the conveniences of electricity and air conditioning.

Fireworks on the National Mall in Washington are planned to go forward.

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Here’s a running photo gallery, updated throughout the day, of celebrations across the U.S.

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Read more about the Fourth of July here: http://apne.ws/O4NrL9

AP Essay: In divided era, what does July 4th mean? http://apne.ws/O4NGG3

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