On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate 250 years of American independence. Each July, we gather to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and to celebrate how far we have come as a nation.
And we would not be here without the people whose service carries America forward.
As we attend our 4th of July BBQs, service members around the globe will carry on their missions, continuing to defend the freedoms we declared more than two centuries ago. We, as the USO, stand proudly beside them – offering support and a celebration of America’s birthday at bases and USO Centers around the globe.
See below for just a few of the many 4th of July celebrations hosted by the USO throughout military history, and learn more how you can join us in raising a toast to the members of our Armed Forces this Fourth of July here.
July 1943: Bob Hope performs for troops in England during World War II
The comedian Bob Hope presented a USO show at Molesworth in July 1943. | Photo credit U.S. Air Force photo by Peter Park
From his first show for service members at March Air Field in May 1941 to his final USO tour to the Middle East in the 1990s, Bob Hope paved the way for dozens of USO entertainers to continue his legacy of entertaining troops around the world.
While the USO can’t officially confirm that Bob Hope was performing precisely on July 4, 1943, we can confirm he performed for service members in the United Kingdom in July.
In early July 1943, Hope was in Molesworth, England, entertaining thousands of American G.I.s. In this first image, taken by Air Force photographer Peter Park in July 1943, a large crowd can be seen enjoying Hope perform.
Hope performs for a crowd that braved the rain in July 1943 in Cornwall, England, near Victoria Barracks.
In this second image, Hope performs for a crowd that braved the rain in July 1943 in Cornwall, England, near Victoria Barracks. The Bodmin Keep Museum says this show was on July 15, 1943, although we haven’t been able to officially confirm the exact date outside of this source.
July 4, 2014: USO 4th of July Festival in Kandahar, Afghanistan
USO staffers, volunteers and patrons pose at a July 4, 2014, event in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
On the 4th of July in 2014, service members deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, got a much-needed break from the desert heat at a special Independence Day celebration.
The event sought to bring the joy of an American BBQ to a challenging, forward-deployed location through activities such as water balloons, corn hole, darts and other games. Service members and USO staff donned patriotic costumes to take photos in, enjoyed snacks and enjoyed a few moments away from their duties to celebrate the nation’s birthday.
The USO began supporting troops in Afghanistan in 2002, following the attacks of September 11th. For nearly 20 years, USO Centers in Afghanistan provided service members with a respite from ongoing conflicts. During national holidays such as Independence Day, when home can feel especially far away, events like these delivered a sense of familiarity and American celebration.
July 4, 2023: USO Fourth of July Celebration in Eastern Europe
Service members and allied amilitary personnel gather in Latvia for an American-style 4th of July celebration.
In Eastern Europe in 2023, where U.S. forces continued to support European allies following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the USO brought a familiar piece of home to service members serving far from family and friends. At a remote location in Latvia, U.S. troops and military personnel from allied nations gathered to enjoy an American-style Fourth of July celebration complete with classic cookout fare and shared traditions. More than a holiday gathering, the event served as a meaningful morale boost and a reminder that, even far from home, the bonds between allies and the spirit of Independence Day endure.
This Saturday, on July 4, 2026, the USO celebrates America’s 250th birthday alongside service members around the world. As we honor this historic milestone, we also raise a toast to the continued service and sacrifice of the men and women who stand watch on behalf of our nation — wherever duty calls.
Learn more how you can join us in raising a toast to the members of our Armed Forces this Fourth of July here.
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