Music, barbeques and American flags were spread through Boston streets Sunday for the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

The event, which is nationally televised, commemorated its 228th year.

The Boston Pops kept with tradition this year, performing at the Charles River Esplanade at the Hatch Shell, led by conductor Keith Lockhart. Joining the Pops onstage was the Tanglewood Orchestra, singing patriotic tunes such as “God Bless America.” David Lee Roth, Jennifer Holliday and PopSearch 2004 winner, Tracy Silva also helped entertain the estimated 450,000-person crowd.

Roth, formerly of band, Van Halen, performed two numbers, “California Girls” and “Jump,” warming up the crowd for Broadway performer Jennifer Holliday who followed with “This is the Moment” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

PopSearch winner Tracy Silva then took the stage, performing a piece from the musical “Ragtime,” pleasing the crowd to such an extent that they gave her a standing ovation.

The celebration was welcomed by people from all different backgrounds, some displaying their American pride with face paint, ribbons or other decorations.

The fireworks kicked off around 10 p.m., illuminating the sky with a variety of bright colors sychronized to music playing in the background.

The first Independence Day, July 4, 1776, initially replaced a local celebration of the Boston Massacre, on March 5, as the main patriotic holiday in Massachusetts, according to www.factmonster.com.

Marked by parades and American flags, this secular holiday has become known through the years for its pride, elaborate fireworks displays and music, varying slightly by city.

Concerts on the Esplanade date back to 1929 when conductor Arthur Fiedler partook in the first year of the Boston Pops performing for Independence Day, according to the official Web site for the celebration (www.july4th.org).

Bringing tears to some and smiles to others, Boston’s Fourth of July celebration brought together the masses to wish “Happy Birthday” to America.