The 2021 Independence Day will be one of the most special holidays in US history.
Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states.
Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and ceremonies, besides various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern regarding COVID-19 on January 30, 2020, and later declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. As of May 20, 2021, over 164 million cases have been confirmed, with over 3.41 million deaths attributed to COVID-19, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in history.
The pandemic has resulted in significant global social and economic disruption, including the largest global recession since the Great Depression. It has led to widespread supply shortages exacerbated by panic buying, agricultural disruption, and food shortages. However, there have also been decreased emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. Many educational institutions and public areas have been partially or fully closed, and many events have been cancelled or postponed. Misinformation has circulated through social media and mass media. The pandemic has raised issues of racial and geographic discrimination, health equity, and the balance between public health imperatives and individual rights.
With more and more people getting fully vaccinated, however, we are now seeing a bright future for the rest of 2021. Thus, the Greater Princeton branch of AYLUS (GPA) members want to celebrate the 2021 Independence Day with a performance by honoring those working hard to help defeat the pandemic since 2020, including but not limited to the frontline healthcare doctors and nurses, pharmaceutical scientists who make reliable vaccines, public service officers, first aid and rescue squad, volunteer firefighters, and indeed everyone who wears a mask and keeps a social distance to care for others. Together, we can do it!
More performance videos received from the following GPA members: Xin Chen (5/28, 3 hrs), Amy Lin (5/29, 3 hrs), Sarah Chen (5/29, 3 hrs), Arielle Chen (5/29, 3 hrs), and more.