Aljazeera 2010.07.03
In the United States it's the Fourth of July national holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence - America's birthday in other words!
Motoring organisations estimate 35 million Americans will travel this weekend - seventeen per cent up on last year and that's just people on the roads.
Many families will barbecue, watch a parade or go to a traditional 4th of July fireworks display.
In the Gulf of Mexico it is a most unusual holiday with oil still gushing and the clean-up operation only just restarting after the first hurricane of the season.
Cristian and many other residents are praying they can reclaim their water and beaches before the next 4th of July comes around.