The US celebrates July 4, but independence from Britain is celebrated worldwide. Here’s a look at how and when different countries celebrate.

On July 4, the United States celebrates its independence from Great Britain with fireworks showsbarbecues, shopping – and for an estimated 70 million citizens this year, travel.

The United States celebration takes place on the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress in 1776. But America is not the only country celebrating independence from Great Britain. A large portion of the world’s population — about one-fifth of the world’s population, according to Guinness World Records — was British-born before 1914.

Some countries do not celebrate their independence from the United Kingdom, but instead dedicate a day to celebrating their founding. Others celebrate in a similar way to the United States, on the day that the country declared or formally gained independence from the United Kingdom.

Here’s when and how different former British colonies celebrate their freedoms.

Flying a kite on India’s Independence Day

India celebrates its independence on August 15, marking the end of 200 years of British rule in 1947. The Indian Independence Act split British India into India and Pakistan and marked its rise to become the world’s largest democracy.

The Prime Minister begins the day by hoisting the country’s flag at the Red Fort in Old Delhi, marking the anniversary of the first official hoisting of the modern flag in the country.

After the flag-raising, there is a parade, but most families celebrate the day by flying kites. In the past, Indians flew kites as a form of protest. In 1927, slogans were written on kites that ridiculed the Simon Commission, a group appointed by the British Conservative government to report on the workings of the fledgling Indian constitution. Since then, kites have been seen as an integral part of protest, and subsequent freedom.

Since Independence Day is one of the three major national holidays, many people have the day off and gather on the streets, beaches and other locations to fly kites of all colors.

Bahamas Celebrate Independence with Junkanoo

Independence Day in the Bahamas is celebrated annually on July 10. After 300 years of British rule, the Bahamas became a fully independent nation in 1973.

Bahamians begin their celebrations 8-10 days prior to July 10, marking the momentous occasion with a variety of cultural activities and events. The most famous celebration is Junkanoo, a lively Bahamian street parade featuring music, dancing and elaborate costumes.

While the exact origins of Junkanoo are unknown, there is a popular belief that the traditions originated during the time of slavery and now represent Bahamian culture, according to Bahamas.com. There is also a Junkanoo parade on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas.

Australia’s independence marks the arrival of convicts

Australians celebrate Australia Day annually on January 26. The day is not associated with independence from Britain, but marks the day the first ships carrying convicts from the United Kingdom arrived.

It is the only Commonwealth national holiday that celebrates the date of physical colonisation, rather than the date of the country’s independence or some other significant day.

Many Australians celebrate the summer holidays with barbecues. Australians also honour the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have inhabited the country for 65,000 years, according to the Australia Day Council.

It is also a day when many new citizens are counted: according to the Australian Department of Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, more than 22,000 new Australians will join the country in 2024.