The US has marked its 250th birthday with fireworks and flyovers – but celebrations across the country were complicated by extreme weather.
USA Turns 250 start grand celebrations
“The American dream is back,” US President Donald Trump told a cheering crowd during a delayed rally in Washington’s National Mall, before what he described as the world’s largest firework 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 wrapped up just before midnight, touched on political themes including the rejection of communism, his backing of the Save America Act 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.” Celebrations in Washington DC 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 fan zone were asked to seek temporary shelter in a nearby buildings.
Once 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. The small crowd on Capitol Hill cheered before rapidly walking towards the exits as it began to lightly rain.
People travelled across the country to attend, who travelled from South Carolina and had been planning her trip to Washington DC since last November. He told the that he 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. USA Turns 250 start grand celebrations. USA Turns 250 start grand celebrations.
Trump FORCED To Stop Mid-Sentence After F-35 Jets ‘STORM’ Mount Rushmore Event| President Donald Trump gestures at the conclusion of his speech during Salute to America, an Independence Day event honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday marked the 250th anniversary of American independence with a speech at the National Mall, combining patriotic appeals with partisan messaging after severe storms briefly disrupted celebrations and forced an evacuation of the venue. He said, “American people must never forget that we are historic and heroic people with a heroic spirit and a heroic purpose on this beautiful earth of ours.” USA Turns 250 start grand celebrations.
DONALD Trump said
USA Turns 250 start grand celebrations. In his speech, Trump described the anniversary as “one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time” and paid tribute to US veterans, including World War II servicemen and one of the first Black officers to lead a Special Forces team in combat during the Vietnam War. USA Turns 250 start grand celebrations.
“We will always be on top,” Trump said. “We will never let our country fall. We will always be the best.”
“”For 250 years, the United States of America has been the hope, the promise, the light, and the glory among all of the nations of the world… with God’s help, we can always be this or even better… Here on our National Mall,
we’re celebrating Freedom’s triumph over tyranny, liberty’s conquest over oppression, and the enduring victory of the America spirit from July 4, 1776 to July 4, 2026…Tonight, our country is stronger, freer, richer, safer and prouder than ever before,” he added.
Referring to America’s Founding Fathers, Trump said, “In Philadelphia, our Founding Fathers summoned the courage of giants and the wisdom of centuries to boldly proclaim these timeless truths. They declared that ‘all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’USA Turns 250 start grand celebrations.
In signing their names to the roster of freedom, those 56 Patriots put everything at risk, stepped onto the stage of destiny, and seized a victory for the ages.”He added, “We are made in the courage, fire, flesh, and blood of the best and the bravest people this world has ever produced. Tonight, we pledge allegiance to the flag they gave us — and we say, ‘God bless the immortal patriots of 1776, and LONG LIVE THE CAUSE OF INDEPENDENCE!'” USA Turns 250 start grand celebrations.
The president also ventured into partisan territory, promoting the SAVE America Act, reiterating his support for the Second Amendment and renewing his criticism of communism, themes that have increasingly featured in his political messaging ahead of the November midterm elections.Despite the extreme weather, thousands gathered at the National Mall to mark the historic occasion.
“So, it’s always been important to be here. I think it’s good for everybody to represent, everybody to be out here and to be able to get the story as my friend said. It’s always good to pass on that kind of thing and the kind of brotherhood that we have here as Americans. I think it’s a very important factor that we should always spread and try and show other people what we’re about. But yeah I mean we were out here in the 100-degree heat earlier. We were sweating a lot, but we made it happen and we came back for the fireworks,” one attendee told ANI. USA Turns 250 start grand celebrations.
The address, originally scheduled for earlier in the evening, was delayed by about two hours after dangerous weather prompted authorities to clear the National Mall and suspend security screening. Event organisers later reopened the gates, allowing revellers to return for the celebrations and fireworks.
Before arriving at the venue, Trump signalled his determination to go ahead with the event despite the weather. “I’m not going to let some rain stop our 250th,” he wrote on Truth Social. Later, as he reached the National Mall, he posted: “I’M HERE!!! DJT”. “Well, 250 years of great power, kind people, wonderful country. Just love it. I’m a patriot, I enjoy, I’m so thankful to be here.
I think every American should get on their knees and thank God that they were born here or came here and can be here,” he said. Across the US, Americans celebrated the nation’s 250th Independence Day with parades, concerts, fireworks and patriotic events. However, severe storms and record-breaking heat disrupted festivities in several cities, forcing organisers to delay, modify or cancel some celebrations. USA Turns 250 start grand celebrations.
