America turns 239 today. Patriotic folks across the country will celebrate with a series of explosions, unhealthy food and drunken arguments over the value of the Reagan administration. There are plenty of great places to celebrate Independence Day, but Chicago is hands down the best. Boston might be rich in history and the West Coast might be filled with legal cannabis, but Chicago takes the cake on the Fourth of July. Here's why:
1. Chicago is home to the best hot dogs in the country
2. Our national pride is matched only by our civic pride
3. The lakefront fireworks show is majestic and egalitarian
4. It's the one day out of the year that Chicagoans hear "bang" and don't duck and cover
5. We are the masters of cornhole, a Fourth of July pastime
6. Chicago's medley of great breweries are a great example of America's beer superiority to Europe
7. We have two baseball teams that we love, even when they're awful
8. There are more street festivals over the weekend than you can even wrap your head around
9. Chicagoans become absolutely euphoric about a long weekend with warm weather
10. Our skyline is the best example of shining American architecture
11. The Stanley Cup lives here—enough said