The United States marked the 250th anniversary of its independence on Saturday with fireworks, military flyovers, concerts and citizenship ceremonies, even as severe weather and a prolonged heat wave disrupted celebrations in several parts of the country.
President Donald Trump addressed supporters at the National Mall in Washington after a thunderstorm delayed the event before the capital hosted what organisers described as the country’s largest-ever Independence Day fireworks display.
“The American dream is back,” Trump told the crowd.
He ended his speech with a message of patriotism.
“Long live the cause of independence. May it reign forever and ever and ever. We will always be on top, we will never let our country fall, we will always be the best,” he said.
As the fireworks ended shortly after midnight, Trump declared that the celebration marked “the dawn of the golden age of America” and said the nation’s destiny was “written by God”.
The Fourth of July holiday marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, when the 13 American colonies declared independence from British rule.
This year’s celebrations also highlighted political divisions, with critics accusing Trump of turning the historic anniversary into a political event through his Freedom 250 initiative, which is separate from the bipartisan America 250 programme established by Congress.
Earlier in the evening, heavy rain and thunderstorms forced officials to temporarily evacuate parts of the National Mall, where temperatures had reached about 37°C (100°F).
Organisers asked visitors attending Freedom 250 events, the Great American State Fair and the FIFA Fan Zone to move into nearby buildings until conditions improved.
Around 400 members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front were also seen marching through parts of Washington carrying American flags. Videos shared online showed masked members walking near the US Capitol and Union Station.
Across the country, communities held block parties, concerts and commemorative events as part of the America 250 celebrations.
In New York City’s Times Square, Ne-Yo and Mary J. Blige performed, while Los Angeles hosted performances by The Smashing Pumpkins and Chaka Khan. Christina Aguilera and Will Smith headlined celebrations in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, also hosted ceremonies at Independence Hall and a military flyover to mark the historic occasion.
At Mount Vernon in Virginia, the home of America’s first president, George Washington, 150 people from 50 countries became US citizens during a naturalisation ceremony.
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America 250 organisers also buried a time capsule containing a signed copy of the US Constitution, a Coca-Cola bottle and artefacts from all 50 states and US territories. The capsule is scheduled to be opened in 200 years.
In New York, Joey Chestnut reclaimed the men’s title at the annual hot dog-eating contest after eating 66 hot dogs in 10 minutes, while Miki Sudo won the women’s competition for the 12th time.
Extreme heat and severe storms affected celebrations across several states.
Officials cancelled Washington’s Independence Day Parade over safety concerns, while other events in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Colorado were also called off.
Weather forecasts predicted temperatures as high as 42°C (108°F) in parts of Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey.
Storms also caused widespread power outages. Tracking service PowerOutage reported that nearly 750,000 customers across the eastern United States lost electricity, while strong winds left more than 350,000 homes without power in Michigan alone.
Former US presidents also used the anniversary to reflect on the country’s future.
Former President Joe Biden said America had made progress since its founding but warned that equality remained unfinished work.
“We chose that path 250 years ago, but that’s where the work began, not where it ended,” Biden said.
Barack Obama echoed that message, saying each generation has a responsibility to strengthen the country.
“There’s more to do to fulfil the nation’s founding ideals. Every generation must take up the unfinished work of the last and carry it further,” he said.
George W. Bush called on Americans to become active citizens rather than spectators, while Bill Clinton acknowledged the country’s political divisions.
“Today, we celebrate this milestone amid another period of deep division, renewed questions about America’s future and role in the world, and serious threats to our own institutions and to our democracy itself,” Clinton said.
