Fourth of July, Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, penumbral lunar eclipse: 5 things to know this weekend

Editors, USA TODAY
·4 min read

A Fourth of July to remember

Known as the day of the birth of American independence from Great Britain, many Americans usually spend the Fourth of July at barbecues with friends and family and maybe watching mammoth fireworks displays during a day off from work. This year, Americans will be celebrating July 4th differently. Independence Day comes at a time when the country is in the grip of two pandemics – one against systemic racism, the other against a virus that has sickened millions – and the word "freedom" has never had more meaning. This year's holiday comes with a reckoning with how to re-imagine classic traditions, how to engineer togetherness through our phones and computers, and, of course, what it means to be American. And while a majority of U.S. adults still say they are "extremely" or "very" proud to be American, both numbers are at a 20-year low, according to Gallup.

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Despite concerns, Trump plans July 4 fireworks at the National Mall

President Donald Trump is going ahead with a July Fourth celebration on the National Mall on Saturday despite health concerns from Washington's mayor. The event will feature a fireworks display and as many as 300,000 face masks will be given away to those who want them, although nobody will be required to wear them. On Friday, Trump also attended a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore to celebrate July Fourth, which did not involve social distancing. Trump used his speech to condemn protesters across the country for attacking monuments while announcing he would sign an executive order to establish a new park featuring statues of "the greatest Americans to ever live."

On your mark, get set, go! It's Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest will be held Saturday (12 p.m. ET, ESPN) but the annual Fourth of July event at Coney Island will look significantly different this year. For starters, there will be no fans in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the competition will take place in "a private location with COVID-19 safety measures in place," rather than at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Brooklyn. One thing that is expected to be normal? The victors: Joey Chestnut is the heavy favorite to win for the fifth straight year and 13th time overall, while on the women's side, Miki Sudo is also expected to dominate en route to a seventh straight Mustard Yellow Belt.

NASCAR driver races with 'Trump 2020' design on hood

NASCAR driver Corey LaJoie's No. 32 Cup Series car will have a "Trump 2020" design painted across the hood, beginning this Sunday at the Brickyard 400. The design will be on for eight more races after Sunday’s, and is a partnership between LaJoie's team, Go Fas Racing, and the pro-Donald Trump Political Action Committee Patriots of America PAC. "As a Trump 2020 supporter, this team will do everything possible to secure victory on and off the track electing President Donald Trump to a second term. Let us bring this country back and Keep America Great!" Go Fas Racing owner Archie St. Hilaire said in a statement.

Prepare for the Lunar eclipse

There will be something to watch in the sky this weekend besides fireworks. From 11:07 p.m. EDT Saturday until 1:52 a.m. EDT Sunday, the full moon will graze Earth’s shadow to create what's known as a penumbral lunar eclipse. Less spectacular than a total lunar eclipse, a penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves through the outer part of Earth's shadow (known as the penumbra). Weather permitting, it will be visible in most of North America and all of South America. But you might not notice anything at all: At best, the eclipse will likely appear as a dark shading on the moon's face, according to EarthSky.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fourth of July, penumbral lunar eclipse: 5 things to know this weekend