The Fourth of July is about all things American: parades, cookouts, cold beer and of course, fireworks. Those pyrotechnics remain at the center of Independence Day, a holiday 247 years in the making.

The Fourth of July is a celebration of all things American with parades, backyard barbecues and the night sky lit up with fireworks.

T he annual Fourth of July fireworks show on the San Francisco waterfront started at about 9:30 p.m. on Friday. The fireworks were launched from two barges on San Francisco Bay, one located at Pier 39 and another located at Aquatic Park. The show went on for about 30 minutes.

"Disturbing roosting migratory birds at night can result in mass deaths," says Bateman. "Disturbing breeding birds can result in colony collapses. Seals and sea lions leave [affected] areas and expend energy swimming away during fireworks."

As Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and parades, many businesses and services will alter their hours or close altogether for the Fourth of July. As is standard practice, U.S. stock markets will be closed on Friday in observance of Independence Day.

Friday marks the 249 th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence — and the Fourth of July holiday has become one filled with fireworks, musical celebrations and other flag-waving opportunities.

Government offices, post offices, courts, and schools are closed for the Fourth of July in the U.S. U.S. stock markets and banks are also closed, with limited FedEx and UPS services