Google Maps Gets You Ready For The Fourth

We'll admit it from the start; this development doesn't amount to Google's execs weeping while singing "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."  Still, a sort of self-promotional Fourth of July blog post from the search giant may be of interest to you as we head into the weekend.

If you haven't figured out how you're going to celebrate the Fourth, you may be able to get some ideas by using Google Maps.  Elaine Filadelfo of the Lat Long Blog Team writes, "If you'll be in DC . . . you can find a map of the various events going on throughout the holiday weekend and a map of fireworks shows throughout the entire region."

Or if you're planning to spend time elsewhere in the country, there are plenty of other events maps available, including ones for Baltimore, the Milwaukee region, Myrtle Beach New Hampshire, Northern Alabama, the San Francisco Bay Area, South Central Indiana, and Western Michigan.

Finally, if you intend to do your own thing, Filadelfo writes, "[Y]ou can make your own My Map to show friends how to get to your BBQ or where exactly in the park you plan to meet to catch the fireworks."

Anybody who's going to be close to his or her computer might keep an eye out for a special Google Doodle, too; last year's is pictured below.