US marks 250th birthday with fireworks, flyovers and extreme weather . Scorching heat and delays: How Washington DC marked US' 250th birthdayByBernd Debusmann Jr, Reporting fromat the National Mall, Washington DC and Nardine Saad, Reporting fromin Los AngelesPublished5 July 2026The US has marked its 250th birthday with fireworks and flyovers - but celebrations across the country were complicated by extreme weather."The American dream is back," US President Donald Trump told a cheering crowd during a delayed rally at the National Mall in Washington DC, before what he described as the world's largest fireworks display.The 4 July federal holiday commemorates the 13 US colonies signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to end British rule.Despite the celebrations, Trump has been criticised for making himself central to the milestone and politicising the celebrations.The president's speech, which finished just before midnight, touched on political themes including the rejection of communism and the right to bear arms."Long live the cause of independence," he said. "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." attend the rally despite earlier thunderstormsTrump capped off his remarks by calling the moment "only the dawn of the golden age of America" with its destiny "written by God".Celebrations in the US capital were delayed because of a thunderstorm, which forced an evacuation of the National Mall earlier in the evening. Guests attending the Salute to America, the Great American State Fair and Fifa fan zone were asked to seek temporary shelter in nearby buildings.Brutal heat cancels 4 July events across USOnce the storm had passed, festivities began again, including a flyover featuring the new Air Force One and a concert. The grande finale - the fireworks show - was marked by a massive flurry of blasts, concluding at about 01:00 local time ( ).
The small crowd on Capitol Hill cheered before rapidly walking towards the exits as it began to lightly rain.Trump's new take on 250 years of American expansionismPublished4 JulyAfter 250 years the American Dream is surviving, but only justPublished3 JulyTrump presidency and power - debate reignited at 250 yearsPublished2 JulyHow the US reinvented the English languagePeople travelled across the country to attend, including Tammy Wapshott, who travelled from South Carolina and had been planning her trip to Washington DC since last November. She told the BBC she had come to celebrate "the best country in the world" where all were "free to do what we wanna do".Around 400 members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front were seen carrying US flags while marching in unison through the streets of the capital.Videos posted on social media show the masked, uniformed members marching near the Capitol building and Union Station, the city's main passenger rail hub. oth Trump and first lady Melania Trump hosted, was delayed because of thunderstorms used disruption to 4 July celebrations, with people taking cover ahead of Trump's rally in Washington DCConcerts and naturalisation ceremoniesAccusations that Trump had politicised the anniversary arose from his launching Freedom 250, a privately funded events committee to compete with the America 250 commission established by the US Congress.As part of the bipartisan America 250 celebrations, communities across the country took part in "America's Block Party" and hosted local gatherings. Musicians including Ne-Yo, Mary J Blige, The Smashing Pumpkins, Chaka Khan, Christina Aguilera and Will Smith performed across the country.On Thursday, members of Congress gathered at the "birthplace of America" where the Declaration was signed in 1776, Philadelphia's Independence Hall. across the country, including over New York City's Brooklyn Bridge the 2026 Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City America 250 organisers also buried a time capsule - to be opened in 200 years - that included a Coca-Cola bottle, a signed copy of the Constitution and artefacts from the 50 states and US territories.
At Mount Vernon in Virginia - the first US president George Washington's estate - a naturalisation ceremony welcomed 150 people from 50 countries as US citizens.New York City hosted its annual hot dog eating contest, a tradition since 1972, in which Joey Chestnut won his 18th title. Chestnut ate 66 hot dogs in 10 minutes, according to CBS, the BBC's US news partner. In the women's competition, Miki Sudo finished 38 and three-quarters of a hot dog to claim her 12th contest title.Chris Cornell, who travelled to the capital from Maryland, rejected the notion that the 250th anniversary celebrations had become political, commenting: "We're all just here to celebrate our country." s escorted the new version of Air Force One over the National Mall as part of Fourth of July celebrationsHeatwaves and power cutsSome events around Independence Day were cancelled or temporarily closed due to the blistering heat on the US East Coast this week.The National Park Service's Independence Day Parade in Washington DC was cancelled on Friday, with other celebrations shut down in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Colorado.Washington DC had broiled in 100F (37C) temperatures on Saturday as the main celebrations got under way.Some of the highest temperatures on Saturday included 106F (41C) in New Jersey and 101F (38C) in Delaware.About 750,000 properties in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New
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