The United States marked the 250th anniversary of its independence on July 4, 2026, with parades, air shows, concerts, and fireworks across the country despite extreme weather in some areas.
In Washington, D.C., thunderstorms and high temperatures delayed events at the National Mall by nearly two hours.
President Donald Trump addressed the crowd before a fireworks display that concluded the celebrations.
The anniversary was also marked by an air show over the Statue of Liberty and a parade of tall ships along the Hudson River. Communities across the country held their own Independence Day events.
The July 4 holiday commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, when the 13 American colonies declared independence from British rule.
While the celebrations attracted large crowds, some critics argued that President Trump’s speech introduced political themes into what has traditionally been a bipartisan national event.
