Those efforts evolved today into using fireworks, food, and beverages plus family and friends to celebrate the most important event in American history.

Today, American families mark Independence Day with fireworks, parades, barbecues, beer, baseball games, and various other activities to celebrate our history, government, and traditions. The Fourth of July holiday often means taking advantage of a long weekend or day off of work to gather with friends and relatives to share a meal.

Outdoor barbecues seem to be the order of the day for people gathering on the Fourth of July. And barbecues most frequently involve hamburgers and hot dogs. But these food traditions really do not need to be common place. How about putting some "zip" and a little creativity into these traditional meals?

Here are a couple of ways to spice up those hotdogs and burgers.

The " Hot Belly Buster Burger " - so called because the ingredients include jalapeno peppers and Tabasco sauce and its size - 1/2 pound of beef! They really are entire meals.

Preparation time: 10 minutes. Makes 8 burgers, 1/2 pound each (or, as I do, 1/3 pound)

Instead of a plain hot dog with mustard and/or ketchup, try a Chili Dog.

Preparation time: 10 minutes. Makes 4 single chili dogs.

I sometimes like to add shredded cheddar cheese on the top. I also like to toast the buns on a grill or in the oven.

These are only two easy ways to add some great taste and fun to your 4th of July party. For many more you can click on the link below.