Israel's Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut) begins the minute Israel's Memorial Day ends, and the switch from sorrow to joy is quite sudden and dramatic. Israel's Independence Day is celebrated each year on 5 Iyar, which corresponds to May 14, 1948, the day that the State of Israel was proclaimed. Days before the celebration, Israeli flags begin to wave from almost every house and car. On the eve of Israel Independence Day, there are parties, singing and dancing on the streets, and fireworks. On Independence Day, everyone packs their picnic baskets with charcoal, lots of meat, Israeli salad, and bamba. Then they head out in search of the perfect picnic spot. The whole country is dotted with families outdoors enjoying "The Land."