E. coli or enterococci, which indicate fecal matter contaminating water, were detected at swim spots in New York state, Massachusetts, Michigan and elsewhere, authorities said.

Health officials issue warnings as bacteria and stormwater runoff contaminate beaches nationwide, closing popular swimming locations before the July 4th holiday.

Heading into the holiday weekend, 19 swimming spots in Vermont are under advisories for high cyanobacteria levels. Here's the full list. The following beaches and other swimming spots in Vermont are currently under bacteria alerts: Beaches can only become safe for swimming when their bacteria levels are back within the safe range,

Many retailers and grocery stores will remain open on the Fourth of July, though some may operate on different hours. Major retailers, stores and restaurant chains including Walmart, Starbucks and McDonald's confirmed to USA Today that they will still be serving customers during the holiday.

Government offices, post offices, courts, and schools are closed for the Fourth of July in the U.S. U.S. stock markets and banks are also closed, with limited FedEx and UPS services

Friday marks the 249 th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence — and the Fourth of July holiday has become one filled with fireworks, musical celebrations and other flag-waving opportunities.

Founding Father John Adams once wrote that American independence should be celebrated with "illuminations from one end of this continent to the other"