To gather or not to gather was a question that was on everyone's minds this Fourth of July as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the U.S. and the world.

In Florida, Miami Beach was closed as the Miami-Dade County closed all beaches. Palm Beach was also closed.

Across the country, though, people flocked to beaches where they could. Many say they were less concerned about a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Others found a way to celebrate while keeping in mind social distancing.

In Huntington Beach, California, nearly 500,000 spectators typically line the street for the annual Fourth of July parade. In the age of coronavirus, organizers decided to take the parade to the people by marching from neighborhood to neighborhood.

With so many events canceled, skies that normally sparkle fell dark. Instead, Americans let fireworks light up their living rooms, watching a shimmering show above the monuments at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.