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A fantastic fireworks display brightens up the 4th of July night sky
U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John are the only American-owned islands in the Caribbean and they pull out all the stops with two celebratory holidays: their own Emancipation Day, on July 3rd (to commemorate the end of the slave trade), and Independence Day, on July 4th (since joining the U.S. in 1917), culminating with a parade on St. John, the tiniest, and, arguably, prettiest, of the islands. Not only is airfare to the isles cheaper in late June and July, but hotel rates are nearly half off their winter highs as well, making a visit here a cultural treat and a bona fide bargain. Imagine celebrating July 4th drinking a rum punch instead of beer and painting the town red, white, and blue at Caribbean-flavored bashes at night. Note that while St. John is the main focal point for Independence Day antics, all three of the islands have something to offer over the holiday.
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