Fourth of July

Boston celebrates the Fourth

Fireworks exploded over the Charles River as part of the 40th July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular at the Hatch Shell.

Fireworks over the Charles River could be seen from the roof of a building on Harry Agannis Way.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Fireworks over the Charles River could be seen from the roof of a building on Harry Agannis Way.

The fireworks mark the end of the 40th July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

The fireworks mark the end of the 40th July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

This year's show included tributes to the armed forces as well as first responders from the Marathon attacks.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

This year's show included tributes to the armed forces as well as first responders from the Marathon attacks.

The Boston skyline was lit by fireworks.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

The Boston skyline was lit by fireworks.

A purple hue was cast over spectators as these fireworks exploded.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

A purple hue was cast over spectators as these fireworks exploded.

Red and green fireworks exploded as people watched from the Esplanade.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Red and green fireworks exploded as people watched from the Esplanade.

For the first time in the show's history, fireworks were also fired off the Massachusetts Avenue bridge.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

For the first time in the show's history, fireworks were also fired off the Massachusetts Avenue bridge.

Confetti rained down on concertgoers.

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Confetti rained down on concertgoers.

Fireworks over the Charles River could be seen from the roof of a building on Harry Agannis Way.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Fireworks over the Charles River could be seen from the roof of a building on Harry Agannis Way.

The show is an annual rite that draws half a million or more to the banks of the Charles River Basin each Independence Day.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

The show is an annual rite that draws half a million or more to the banks of the Charles River Basin each Independence Day.

Fireworks exploded after the end of the Boston Pops concert.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Fireworks exploded after the end of the Boston Pops concert.

Scott Webb celebrated during the concert's finale.

Michael Dwyer/AP

Scott Webb celebrated during the concert's finale.

Blue and white fire works exploded over the river.

Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Blue and white fire works exploded over the river.

People watched the fireworks from the Esplanade.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

People watched the fireworks from the Esplanade.

Fireworks exploded over the Hatch Shell.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Fireworks exploded over the Hatch Shell.

Conductor Keith Lockhart returned to the stage.

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Conductor Keith Lockhart returned to the stage.

Ayla Brown performed again later in the evening after her first set.

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Ayla Brown performed again later in the evening after her first set.

Scott Webb of Lynn (left) hugged MIT Police Sergeant Cheryl Vossmer as MBTA Officer Richard Donohue Jr. made a special appearance.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Scott Webb of Lynn (left) hugged MIT Police Sergeant Cheryl Vossmer as MBTA Officer Richard Donohue Jr. made a special appearance.

Marine Sergeant Michael Cotter waved a flag as the concert paid tribute to the armed forces.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Marine Sergeant Michael Cotter waved a flag as the concert paid tribute to the armed forces.

Lisa Rueckerl of Germany held up an American flag.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Lisa Rueckerl of Germany held up an American flag.

Singer Ayla Brown (second from right) stood with soldiers from the 101st Field Artillery Regiment after her performance.

Michael Dwyer/AP

Singer Ayla Brown (second from right) stood with soldiers from the 101st Field Artillery Regiment after her performance.

Scott Brown (right) and his wife cheered for their daughter, Ayla, as she performed.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Scott Brown (right) and his wife cheered for their daughter, Ayla, as she performed.

Ellen Finch (from left), Mohan Mandali, and Robert Cummings waved flags during the concert.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston G

Ellen Finch (from left), Mohan Mandali, and Robert Cummings waved flags during the concert.

Conductor Keith Lockhart took the stage during the July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Conductor Keith Lockhart took the stage during the July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

Soheir Eilithi of Virginia had the American flag painted on her face in celebration of the Fourth of July.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Soheir Eilithi of Virginia had the American flag painted on her face in celebration of the Fourth of July.

People gathered for the start of the Boston Pops concert.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

People gathered for the start of the Boston Pops concert.

Richelle Mazzone of Salem sang along with the national anthem at the beginning of the concert.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Richelle Mazzone of Salem sang along with the national anthem at the beginning of the concert.

Governor Deval Patrick posed with 10-year-old Taylor Whelan during the concert.

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Governor Deval Patrick posed with 10-year-old Taylor Whelan during the concert.

Fewer people than usual appear to be heading to the Esplanade in anticipation of the Fourth of July festivities.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Fewer people than usual appear to be heading to the Esplanade in anticipation of the Fourth of July festivities.

Melida Arredondo, who was at the Marathon bombings with her husband, Carlos, jumped at the sound of the cannons firing.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Melida Arredondo, who was at the Marathon bombings with her husband, Carlos, jumped at the sound of the cannons firing.

Governor Deval Patrick (left) spoke with the Bruins' Andrew Ference and Ference's 8-year-old daughter, Ava, before the concert.

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Governor Patrick (left) spoke with the Bruins' Andrew Ference and Ference's 8-year-old daughter, Ava, before the concert.

Tim Walker of Louisiana (left) sat on a blanket with his wife and two children.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Tim Walker of Louisiana (left) sat on a blanket with his wife and two children.

A man was carried off as a result of the heat.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

A man was carried off as a result of the heat.

Governor Patrick spoke to the media before the concert.

Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

Governor Patrick spoke to the media before the concert.

Gianna Messina, 2, grabbed onto an umbrella to take cover from the heat.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Gianna Messina, 2, grabbed onto an umbrella to take cover from the heat.

Kerri White of Somerville wore American flags in her hair.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Kerri White of Somerville wore American flags in her hair.

Katherine Lacey of Houston, Texas, talked on her cellphone as she waited for the celebrations to begin.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Katherine Lacey of Houston, Texas, talked on her cellphone as she waited for the celebrations to begin.

Tim Peterson (from left), Teddy Barnes, Talia Landry, Mark Phillips, and Sam Shapiro waded into the Charles River to cool off from the heat.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Tim Peterson (from left), Teddy Barnes, Talia Landry, Mark Phillips, and Sam Shapiro waded into the Charles River to cool off from the heat.

Matt Kimm read a book along the Esplanade as he waited for the fireworks.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Matt Kimm read a book along the Esplanade as he waited for the fireworks.

Whitney Thomas and Garrett Snyder waited near the Hatch Shell for the concert to begin.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Whitney Thomas and Garrett Snyder waited near the Hatch Shell for the concert to begin.

Edward Shaddock of Dorcheser used a fan to cool himself.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Edward Shaddock of Dorcheser used a fan to cool himself.

Military personnel walked across the grounds in front of the Hatch Shell.

Jessica Rinaldi For The Boston Globe

Military personnel walked across the grounds in front of the Hatch Shell.

Patrick Duggan of Wareham tried to stay cool under a tent in front of the Hatch Shell.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

Patrick Duggan of Wareham tried to stay cool in front of the Hatch Shell.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

Police patrolled the area on bikes.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

Crowds formed along the Esplanade this morning.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

David Donnaruma of Orlando went through an Esplanade checkpoint.

Law enforcement officials were a visible presence near the Hatch Shell today as the city took extra precautions for the Fourth of July celebration.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

Law enforcement officials were a visible presence near the Hatch Shell.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

Volunteers placed wristbands on people who went through security.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

A visitor carrying a see-through bag went through security.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

Divers inspected the canal along the Esplanade this morning.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

A man was frisked at security.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

Forecasters warned temperatures could feel like 100 degrees.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

A man passed the security checkpoint at the Esplanade.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

Liz Ramirez and Adie Ramirez, 11, of Pennsylvania, visited the Esplanade.

Essdras M Suarez / Globe Staff

Crowds formed early at the Esplanade.

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/06/17/BostonGlobe.com/Magazine/Images/mag0623_Mugar1144.jpg David Mugar’s magnificent obsession

How a love of firefighting and, yes, logistics led one man to launch the city’s beloved Fourth of July tradition, now turning 40.

The Declaration of Independence

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/07/01/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/0704oped_declaration.jpg In Congress, July 4, 1776

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.”

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/07/04/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/130704parade0081.jpg Menino delivers final Fourth of July speech as mayor

“I hope the seeds of freedom, liberty, justice, and equality that were planted here take root everywhere,” said Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

Tyler Seguin has been traded to the Dallas Stars.

on hockey

Over three years, Bruins had seen enough

The Bruins stopped believing Tyler Seguin, who has been traded to Dallas, could be a bona fide NHL No. 1 pivot.

Jacoby Ellsbury rounded first base after hitting a home run against the Padres during the eighth inning.

red sox 8, padres 2

Red Sox complete sweep of Padres

After John Lackey’s strong start Tuesday and a walkoff win Wednesday, the Red Sox unloaded in the series finale, racking up 18 hits.

New US citizens attended a naturalization ceremony aboard the USS Constitution.

26 new citizens sworn in on USS Constitution

The citizens, from 18 different countries, were sworn in at 3 p.m. during a three-hour Fourth of July sail in Boston Harbor.

Supporters of Egpt’s ousted president showed victory signs during a rally in Nasser City in Cairo.

Expat calls ouster of Egypt’s president a coup

A native Egyptian who lives in Boston said while he opposed Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, the military’s recent actions are not a revolution.

Man arrested in truck with suspected explosives, police in Seattle say

A Nevada man was arrested near the University of Washington in a stolen pickup truck, which also had weapons and body armor, the campus police chief said.

Opinion

NICHOLAS BURNS

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/07/04/BostonGlobe.com/EditorialOpinion/Images/nburns-1289.jpg Celebrate our commitment to liberty

In our time, the battle for liberty in the United States means extending full equality to African-Americans, women, and the gay and lesbian community.

Globe exclusives

coverage

Fourth of July in Boston
Clockwise (from top): At the London Coliseum, Boston Ballet dancers in Vaslav Nijinsky’s “Afternoon of a Faun,” Kathleen Breen Combes and Paulo Arrais in George Balanchine’s “Symphony in Three Movements,’’ and Lia Cirio (front) and Ashley Ellis in Balanchine’s “Serenade.”

Exclusive Sunday preview | Critic’s Notebook

Boston Ballet makes its mark in London

HISTORY REPEATING

July Fourth like nobody else does it

Marathon victim payout method faulted
Lobsterman Bernie Feeney prepared to go out in Boston Harbor on his boat the Sandra Jean.

With warming seas, lobsters become an abundant bargain
Way before coaching the Celtics, Bill Fitch jumped from college to the NBA in 1970.

Christopher L. Gasper

Celtics job a big leap for Brad Stevens

Health mandate reprieve probable

TECH LAB

Ouya ready for a video game revolution?
During Branden Mattier’s arraignment in Boston Municipal Court on Wednesday, his lawyer said that he poses no flight risk and wants to fight the charges against him.

Accused scammer says he wanted to help
A sound technician on Sunday helped prepare for the Fourth of July celebration to be held along the Esplanade.

A first for Fourth: fireworks from Mass. Ave. bridge
John and Debbie Benedetto of Wakefield searched for 17 years to return medals.

Fallen soldier’s lost medals returned to his family

Graphic

Boston’s Fourth of July plan

Sports

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on basketball

Brad Stevens has been the head coach at Butler University for six seasons.

Celtics’ hire of Brad Stevens a great one

In basketball circles, the coach from Butler University is considered one of the bright young minds in the game.

Metro

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A man died in an accident during the Fourth of July parade in Bangor, Maine.

Man killed in accident in Bangor, Maine, parade

The Fourth of July celebration has been marred by a four-hour police standoff with a suspect and then a freak accident that killed a man driving a tractor in the parade.

Columnists

TECH LAB

Ouya ready for a video game revolution?
Steve Rose and David Patterson of Ice Effects created this sculpture in 2004.

JOAN VENNOCHI

The last First Night?

Yvonne Abraham

Bill Walczak flying below the radar

alex beam

Talk about death, hold the sugar
Way before coaching the Celtics, Bill Fitch jumped from college to the NBA in 1970.

Christopher L. Gasper

Celtics job a big leap for Brad Stevens
Nelson Mandela speaks at Harvard in 1998, while there to receive an honorary degree.

Derrick Z. Jackson

Mandela’s freedom and ours

SCOT LEHIGH

Ham-handed handling of snooping

Kevin Cullen

When taking a pinch matters
The Red Sox entered July as the only team in the American League with 50 wins.

Christopher L. Gasper

Can’t ignore the Red Sox anymore

JAMES CARROLL

Our halting progress toward justice

Kevin Cullen

An apology out of guilt
The Franklin Park Zoo’s new Baird’s tapir calf will make her debut in a few weeks and will look similar to this calf, born there in 2007.

EDWARD L. GLAESER

Don’t feed the animals (do feed the zoo)

Nation & World

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As far back as the late 1940s, the island was known as a sanctuary where gay writers, actors, and businesspeople from the city and beyond could relax and hold hands.

N.Y. gay resort community is recognized

Decades before the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, lesbians and gay men were living freely and openly in a place called Cherry Grove.

Politics

Patterson has been US ambassador to Egypt since 2011.

Diplomat is now target for both sides

The US ambassador to Egypt since 2011 is seen as too cozy with the deposed president and as a lightning rod for US policy.

Business

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FlightCar chief executive Rujul Zaparde is facing a lawsuit over the firm’s operations at San Francisco’s airport.

Car rental options at Logan expand; debate likely to grow

The airport has become a hot spot in the car sharing world, with two companies offering the service.

Arts

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Book Review

Allen C. Guelzo’s account is a worthwhile part of any Civil War collection.

‘Gettysburg’ by Allen C. Guelzo

Parallel images and rich details enliven Guelzo’s masterful account of the battle to which spirited men were unwittingly headed — fought out over three days.

Style

Fourth of July fun, with the family

In and around Boston, you’ll find kid-friendly events beyond the Esplanade celebrations, from scavenger hunts to vintage baseball games.

Boston Globe ePaper

ePaper

Read the ePaper edition

The complete print edition, in its exact layout. Browse the print edition page by page, including stories and ads.

Magazine

The cover for the June 30 2013 issue

Rethinking the golden years
The cover for the June 23 2013 issue

The bee keepers
The cover for the June 16 2013 issue

Last of their kind
The cover for the June 9 2013 issue

Seaside haven

Globe Insiders

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2013/06/03/BostonGlobe.com/Special/Advance/Images/30831e0699c94940980faff2a804e886-30831e0699c94940980faff2a804e886-0.jpg The trial of Whitey Bulger

Full Globe coverage of the gangster’s ongoing trial, life on the run, and notorious legacy in Boston.

Ideas

“To North Korea, the main security threat is not the United States. It is the prosperity, wealth, and prestige of South Korea.”

Sheila Miyoshi Jager,  on the unfinished war between the two Koreas