As the United States celebrates the Fourth of July and 249 years of its independence from Britain, one of the nation's most famous Independence Day celebrations is renewed on New York's Coney Island with the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest,

The Fourth of July brings with it many traditions: fireworks, beach trips, cookouts, terrified dogs and, of course, the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. As usual, the competition will be held on July Fourth at the original Nathan's Famous location on Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York.