The Fourth of July is upon us once again, and it is important to recognize the best holiday of the year. While Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc., are all great, the Fourth of July is unique and fantastic all on its own. It’s a one of a kind celebration compared to all of the other highly recognized American holidays.

It could be described as a birthday party for America (240 years old this year!) It could be described as a beautiful light show with all of the amazing fireworks. It could be described as a giant barbecue among friends and family. It could also be described as a giant drinking fest. No matter how you think of the Fourth of July, the holiday is special to everyone in the United States and is hands down, no questions asked, the greatest holiday of the year.

1. The weather is (almost) always perfect.

The Fourth of July is celebrated in one of the warmest months of the year. Summertime across the United States is beautiful. You don’t have to wish for a sunny Fourth of July the way you’d wish for a White Christmas, because 99 percent of the time, it’ll be burning hot (and an excuse to go to the beach.)

2. Food is pretty much the main priority.

While Thanksgiving is based around the food, one could make a claim that the Fourth of July is as well. Most Americans plan their Fourth around a barbecue, picnic or potluck with friends. The whole day is spent by cooking and eating and then with more cooking and more eating. It’s an excuse to stuff your face and an opportunity that will not be turned down.

3. Fireworks, fireworks and more fireworks, oh my.

Yes, the sky is usually beautiful when the sun is rising or setting, but the Fourth of July has the most beautiful sky of the year. No matter where you look, fireworks are everywhere, sparkling with color. It’s a gorgeous (and also loud) night all across the country.

4. You can celebrate however you like.

The Fourth of July is nice because you don’t have to do one specific thing to celebrate. Many towns have huge festivals or parades, but it is just as conventional to stay in and celebrate at home.

5. It’s a social event.

One of the main ideas of the Fourth of July is celebrating with friends and family. Most other holidays focus on the family aspect, but the Fourth is awesome because it’s just as acceptable to spend all day running around town with your best friends as it is acceptable to drive up to your cousin’s lake house and hangout with your grandparents.

6. The festivities last all day.

The Fourth of July celebrations last all day. There’s no “countdown to midnight” like New Year’s Ever or waiting to go trick-or-treating like Halloween. You can start your day enjoying a parade, then go to a picnic with friends, then have a cookout with your family, then head to a festival in your town and later fall asleep watching fireworks. There’s something to do all day.

7. No matter your age, there’s something you look forward to.

The Fourth of July appeals to all ages. Kids look forward to watching the fireworks while young adults look forward to an excuse to drink with friends. You can’t be “too old” to celebrate the Fourth like you can be “too old” to trick-or-treat, nor can you be “too young” to celebrate the Fourth of July the way you can be too young to drink on Saint Patrick’s Day.

8. It’s the last big American holiday around this time of year.

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s all come back to back, but there’s far fewer celebrations in the spring and summer months. After Valentine’s Day and Saint Patrick’s Day, there’s a break before Memorial Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, leading up to one of the biggest celebrations of the year- the Fourth of July. It’s not for a while that the United States has another huge holiday, so the Fourth ends spring and summer celebrations with a bang (literally- have you heard the fireworks.)

9. Everyone in the country celebrates, no matter who they are.

The Fourth is an amazing holiday because it does not discriminate against a single American. No matter your gender, age, race, religion (the list could go on), you are welcome to celebrate. It’s a day to come together as one U.S. Nation.

10. Because the United States of America is the greatest country in the world.

God bless America.