Fourth of July second only to Christmas as America's top holiday

A majority of Americans say Independence Day is one of America's top holidays.

Only Christmas (58%) tops the Fourth of July (52%) as the country's top holiday, according to new polling from Napolitan News Service.

Independence Day commemorates the signing of the nation's Declaration of Independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. Next year will mark the 250th anniversary of the historic event.

Rounding out the top five American holidays are Veterans Day (47%), Memorial Day (44%) and Thanksgiving (31%), according to the poll of 1,000 registered voters conducted online June 25-26 by pollster Scott Rasmussen.

Nearly three in four Americans are likely to do something to celebrate Independence Day, according to the poll, with 46% very likely and 28% somewhat likely.

Among all voters surveyed, 56% said they planned to watch fireworks; 51% will participate in a cookout; 24% said they would set off firecrackers at home; 22% said they'd watch or participate in a parade; 17% will go to the beach or a lake; and 10% will sing patriotic songs.

The same poll asked those surveyed if they are proud to be an American, with 84% saying they are and 9% saying they are not.

When asked, "Are America’s best days still to come, or have they come and gone?", 55% responded they are still to come, 27% said they have come and gone, and 18% were not sure.

Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.1.