Two-thirds of Americans (69%) are likely to watch fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend. A Rasmussen Reports survey also found that 59% will enjoy a cook-out, 31% will sing patriotic songs, and 15% will participate in or watch a parade. (see crosstabs).

Men are more likely to be interested in parades while women are more likely to sing patriotic songs. They are equally likely to enjoy fireworks.

Sixty-one percent (61%) of American adults say that the Fourth of July is one of our nation’s most important holidays. Just 4% say it’s one of the least important while 33% say it’s somewhere in between.

Eighty-four percent (84%) of Americans say that if they could live anywhere in the world, they would live in the United States. Just 11% disagree.

While Americans agree on much about celebrating the Fourth of July, there is a significant divide when it comes to perceptions of how well the nation is living up to its ideals.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of Americans say that the USA is truly a land of “liberty and justice for all.” Forty-one percent (41%) disagree. That’s essentially unchanged from a year ago. On this question, there is a huge partisan difference. Seventy-five percent (75%) of Republicans say our nation does offer “liberty and justice for all” but only 36% of Democrats agree. In fact, a majority of Democrats (55%) say the United States does not live up to the rhetoric of its Pledge of Allegiance. Those not affiliated with either major political party are evenly divided on the question.

There are also significant gaps along racial lines, income lines, as well as between those who are married and those who are not.

Thirty-three percent (33%) of Americans say that the nation changed for the better since 9/11. Fifty-two percent (52%) say it has changed for the worse. Shortly after those terrorist attacks, a solid majority said the nation had changed for the better.

An earlier survey found that American adults consider George Washington the greatest of our Founding Fathers.

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members.