By Isabel Eva Bohrer on June 27, 2012 in
Barbecues. Fireworks. It's a 4th of July tradition. If you're looking to make your celebration a little different this year, turn to your smartphone, where you can learn how to make an American flag cake and other patriotic cuisine, share trivia and quotes related to Independence Day, and play a 4th of July themed game with friends.
4th of July Recipes ($0.99 for iPhone)
It's barbecue time. And this year, you don't have to scramble for recipes. This recipe app covers dishes specific to Independence Day such as Grilled All-American Burgers or the aforementioned 4th of July Flag Cake. You won't be lacking in red, white, and blue inspiration, and your friends and family will admire the professional grilling skills you have acquired.
July 4th Fun, Facts and Trivia (free for iPhone)
Who was the Declaration of Independence written by? Who signed it? And what else happened on July 4th? This app asks you these questions and more in multiple choice form. If you get it wrong, no worries, the app will educate you with the correct answer. To get a feel for the game, choose "training mode," which does not include time measurement. Then try "competition mode," which records the time you take to answer questions.
4th of July quotes (free for Android)
"America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact - the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality." This app includes quotes like this one by Adlai Stevenson and numerous other important figures associated with Independence Day. Whether you prefer patriotic statements or humorous one-liners, you can find them here. Share your favorites and get your friends and family involved.
M.A.S.H. 4th of July (free for iPhone and Android)
Using the structure of the traditional M.A.S.H. fortune telling game, this app will tell you all about your Independence Day barbecue, and perhaps who you might be kissing that night. For the latter, you have a choice of historical figures, such as George Washington, and current celebrities, such as Justin Bieber. When you're done, you can email or text the resulting stories to your friends. Leading up to July 4th, you can check the app's home screen for a countdown to the big day.
Top 100 U.S.A. Historical Documents ($0.99 for iPhone)
History buffs in particular will enjoy this app, which contains, as the name suggests, the 100 most popular historical documents of the United States. Starting with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, you can annotate each document using a variety of features. That includes changing font sizes, highlighting, underlining, as well as writing notes and adding custom bookmarks. If you're looking for something particular, you can also search the documents, or skim through them thanks to the speed-adjustable auto scrolling feature.
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