July Fourth highlights
• Nationwide festivities: Concerts, historical reenactments and parades were held across all 50 states for America’s 250th birthday. In Washington, DC, organizers put on a 40-minute fireworks display, attempting to break a world record. In New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani lit up the Empire State Building after Navy jets soared over the city and tall ships took to its harbor.
• Trump’s speech: In President Donald Trump’s late-night address, delayed due to storms, he thanked US heroes, praised American ideals, argued for the passage of the SAVE America Act and again slammed communism.
• Celebration hiccups: Storms and severe heat disrupted events on the East Coast, including in DC, New York City and Philadelphia. In Chicago, a flight from Atlanta “made contact with a firework,” Delta Airlines said, before landing safely. In New York City, fires broke out on the Brooklyn Bridge as a fireworks display was wrapping up.
Our live coverage of America 250 celebrations has ended. Scroll down to read more about the events that took place nationwide.
40-minute firework display lights up DC skies
Amid inclement weather and periodic lightning, organizers of the July Fourth celebration in Washington, DC put on a 40-minute firework show – notably much larger than past Independence Day displays.
The event was expected to set off about 850,000 firework shells from 10 different sites, including Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Potomac River barges and West Potomac Park – and may have set a new Guinness World Record for the largest firework display in history.
On Truth Social, President Donald Trump, who didn’t host the fireworks but has touted his prominent place in the Washington celebrations, said the display was the “Best fireworks show, EVER!”
The fireworks show was previously estimated to cost $850,000.
Trump largely stays on script during July Fourth remarks
President Donald Trump largely stuck to his script during his roughly 40-minute July Fourth speech, as he reflected on American heroes, including Medal of Honor recipients and other veterans, and highlighted historic US flags.
Trump described the sacrifices of many, including Sgt. William Carney, a man who escaped slavery to become a Union soldier in the Civil War and who was awarded the Medal of Honor for protecting the American flag from touching the ground during battle.
Trump thanked “veterans of the war on communism,” including Marine Cpl. Pat Finn and Pfc. Rudy Meekins, who fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. He also honored Col. Paris Davis, a Vietnam War veteran, who walked out onstage to cheers.
“Because of heroes like these, our flag will always be a symbol of liberty and justice for all,” he said.
Trump displayed historic flags onstage at the National Mall, showcasing them throughout his speech.
Trump’s holiday remarks, which he billed as a “TRUMP RALLY,” marked a departure from his usual rally-style speeches, though he did muse on political topics, including his efforts to beautify Washington, the ills of communism and his proposed bill to overhaul federal elections.
The 45th and 47th president vowed to “take our country to new levels” on the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
Flight landing in Chicago "made contact" with firework
A Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta “made contact with a firework” while landing at Chicago Midway International Airport Saturday, the airline said in a statement to CNN.
“We just heard the bang on the plane,” a pilot on Delta flight 1076 is heard saying to an air traffic controller, according to audio from ATC.com.
The pilot added that the plane was flying at 200 feet. The air traffic controller said there had been “multiple” similar reports and that city officials have been notified. CNN has reached out to Chicago police for details.
In its statement, Delta said the plane landed without incident and is being inspected.
Philadelphia’s “Unity” concert back on after storm passes
The City of Brotherly Love’s “One Philly: Unity Concert for America” is back on after attendees were evacuated due to the threat of approaching thunderstorms.
Philly-bred hip-hop band The Roots were expected to take the stage and a “grand fireworks finale” will go on as previously scheduled, officials said.
A huge line of severe thunderstorms was rolling east through Philadelphia and the rest of eastern Pennsylvania earlier tonight, threatening July Fourth festivities.
Trump argues for passage of "SAVE America Act" during July Fourth speech
President Donald Trump made a brief argument for the passage of his federal elections overhaul bill, the “SAVE America Act,” during his July Fourth speech at the National Mall, adding a touch of politics in remarks that mostly praised war veterans who fought to preserve the country.
“Today our country is winning again, and we’re winning like never before. America is back, and we want to keep America great, and we will do so by approving the SAVE America Act, which means all voters must show voter ID … all voters must provide a little thing called proof of citizenship,” Trump said about the legislation, which faces an uphill battle on Capitol Hill.
“And there will be no mail-in ballots, except for illness, disability, military deployment or travel, and you won’t have cheating on the elections anymore. It’s very simple,” Trump added. (Though Trump has consistently cast mail-in ballots as fraudulent, he voted by mail in Florida’s special election in March.)
Trump also brought up the SAVE America Act during remarks at Mount Rushmore on Friday night, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune in the audience.
Trump again slams communism in July Fourth remarks
President Donald Trump mentioned his disdain for communism multiple times in his July Fourth speech.
His comments are the latest in a series of public attacks on the ideology after democratic socialists have won in Democratic primaries across the country.
He did not explicitly mention democratic socialism Saturday, though he said that “America will never be a communist country.”
There are clear differences between democratic socialism and communism, which envisions a government-less, class-less society where resources are distributed evenly.
President Donald Trump mentioned his disdain for communism multiple times in his July Fourth speech. His comments are the latest in a series of public attacks on the ideology after democratic socialists have won in Democratic primaries across the country.
Trump praises American ideals during July Fourth speech
President Donald Trump displayed what he said was one of the first US flags to exist as he touted American ideals during his July Fourth remarks.
“Dating back to 1777, it bears the 13 stars and 13 stripes of the 13 states that declared independence on the Fourth of July,” Trump said.
The president remarked that these flags “have seen a lot,” and reflected fondly on the “stars and stripes that flew triumphant” during the Battle of Yorktown.
“Here on our National Mall we are celebrating freedom’s triumph over tyranny, liberty’s conquest over oppression, and the enduring victory of the American spirit from the July 4, 1776 to July 4, 2026,” Trump said.
"There's no way we can be deterred," Trump says on weather delay
President Donald Trump opened his speech on the National Mall saying there was no way the weather delay would stop it.
United States Secret Service had to re-screen individuals who were evacuated due to the severe weather that rolled into the DC area as the Freedom 250 celebration was about to start. Many braved the lines, while others decided to leave.
“I feel so badly about some people, they left it, they couldn’t get back, but you’re very special people, and we have a very special country,” Trump said.
While Trump acknowledged the delay was “inconvenient,” he gave it a positive spin.
Trump begins speech at July Fourth National Mall event
President Donald Trump has started his Fourth of July speech on the National Mall after a weather delay.
The president is expected to give “a unique speech unlike any other he’s given before,” a senior White House official previously told CNN.
Trump will be followed by a record-breaking fireworks display over Washington, DC, with nearly 850,000 fireworks shells to be launched from 10 sites spanning the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Potomac River barges and West Potomac Park.
Heat affects 51 people at DC July Fourth event, officials report
DC’s Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department treated 51 people for heat-related ailments at the Freedom 250 celebration and the surrounding perimeter on Saturday, with 12 of those people transported to a hospital, according to the National Special Security Event Joint Information Center.
The multi-agency hub reported that another 22 people were transported to a hospital for other ailments, including heart problems, blood pressure and unspecified injuries during a day when triple-digit temperatures played a major factor.
DC police reported no arrests during the celebration that was delayed due to threats of thunderstorms rolling through the area, the information center reported.
Trump joined by family and Cabinet members ahead of July Fourth speech
President Donald Trump waited in a suite on the National Mall alongside members of his family and senior administration officials ahead of his Fourth of July speech, which was delayed due to severe weather.
Walking into a VIP viewing area, Trump and first lady Melania Trump were shortly joined by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick; Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin; acting Attorney General Todd Blanche; Secretary of State Marco Rubio; communications director Steven Cheung; House Speaker Mike Johnson; and family members including the president’s daughter Tiffany, granddaughter Kai, son Donald Trump Jr. and daughter-in-law Bettina Trump.
Upon arrival to the suite, Trump paused in front of a television monitor carrying Fox News’ coverage of his arrival. Smiling as he watched the broadcast, he pointed toward the screen and waved at his own image.
Video shows fire on New York City's Brooklyn Bridge during fireworks display
Several small fires could be seen on Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Saturday night as a Fourth of July fireworks display was wrapping up, eyewitness video showed.
Firefighters are on scene to extinguish the flames after a call came in about “reported rubbish fire on bridge” around 9:40 p.m., the New York City Fire Department said.
“Fires like these are not unexpected and that is why we have the standoff distance during a fireworks show,” the fire department said.
It’s not clear what caused the fire. NYPD declined to say whether it’s believed to be related to the fireworks.
There are no reports of injuries at this time, police said.
The Macy’s fireworks show in New York City started just after 9 p.m.
This post has been updated with additional information.
Weather delays Trump's speech and disrupts some events — but spirits remain high
President Donald Trump’s speech has been delayed due to severe weather as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday.
Other events on the East Coast were also delayed or changed due to approaching storms. But festivities went ahead in many cities including New York, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani lit up the Empire State Building in red, white and blue.
Here’s the latest from CNN teams on the ground:
- Trump’s speech blown off course: Trump has arrived at the DC National Mall, where his address was rescheduled to 11 p.m. ET due to heavy rain. His speech will be followed by a massive fireworks display, weather permitting.
- Weather disruptions: Approaching storms and extreme heat forced organizers along the East Coast to shake up or call off events in cities like Washington, DC, New York, Hartford and Philadelphia. All remaining flyovers for the July Fourth Salute to America event were canceled.
- Mass evacuations: Storms forced the evacuation of DC’s National Mall, sending some revelers home while others awaited its reopening at 11 p.m. ET. The US Secret Service said evacuated attendees will need to be rescreened upon reentry.
- Festivities prevail: New York City revelers enjoyed a fireworks display during a brief break in the weather, while crowds in Washington, DC braved heavy rain hoping the show would go on after Trump’s speech.
- More scenes from July Fourth: The Navy’s Blue Angels flight team soared over New York, while tall ships took to the city’s harbor. Eating contest legend Joey Chestnut won Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest for the 18th time. And Beyoncé gave us new music just in time for the day’s parties, while Chaka Khan and Maren Morris performed at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Trump arrives at July Fourth National Mall event ahead of expected remarks
President Donald Trump has arrived at the National Mall, where he is set to give a speech at 11 p.m. ET, after a delay due to severe weather.
Rain in Washington drives some revelers away, while others wait it out
As rain poured down on Washington, DC, some Fourth of July revelers told CNN they were turning back, while others braved the storm for the capital’s fireworks display.
While the National Mall was evacuated due to approaching storms, some people huddled under shop awnings or sheltered in nearby Smithsonian buildings, while others returned home.
A group of young people told CNN that after attending the Great American State Fair earlier, it wasn’t worth waiting to brave the crowds again for the fireworks.
Meanwhile, Preston, visiting from Alabama with his 3-year-old son, said his family planned to “do their best” to manage the weather but said logistics are “dicey” and watching it on TV is Plan B.
Steve, celebrating with his daughter, also prepared to endure the weather for the fireworks. “We came out to enjoy DC, and that’s what we get; looking forward to it,” he said.
Secret Service says evacuated attendees at National Mall will be screened again
The US Secret Service, the agency leading security for the July Fourth event on the National Mall, said attendees who evacuated will need to be screened upon reentry.
“The Secret Service is working to make screening as smooth as possible. Our bag restriction and prohibited items list remains the same,” Anthony Guglielmi, a Secret Service spokesperson, posted on X.
Evacuees sheltering at USDA building respond by singing national anthem
As severe weather disrupted the July Fourth celebration on the National Mall, evacuees sheltering inside the US Department of Agriculture building began singing the national anthem, according to a video posted to X from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
“These incredible patriots spontaneously broke into the National Anthem. I love my country,” she said in the post.
National Mall to reopen to spectators, with Trump's speech set for 11 p.m.
The National Mall will reopen to spectators following a weather evacuation, and President Donald Trump will deliver his speech at 11 p.m. ET, more than an hour after scheduled.
Trump said on social media that he’s “leaving the White House soon” to deliver his speech — regardless of weather.
Organizers for Freedom 250, which is organizing the event on the mall, announced gates will reopen at 9:45 p.m. ET at Trump’s direction, with fireworks to follow the president’s remarks.
“Rain or shine, the American people deserve a celebration worthy of our nation’s historic 250th birthday,” Freedom 250 posted on social media.
Trump was originally scheduled to speak at 9:45 p.m., but he said the late night doesn’t bother him.
“It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight. They say 11:00 O’Clock for the speech. Who cares???” he said.
Empire State Building dazzles in red, white and blue
On Friday night, the spire at the top of New York’s Empire State Building glowed over Manhattan in blue for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding.
But on Saturday, it was lit up in red, white and blue for the United States’ 250th anniversary.
CNN video shows New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the building and lifting a lever as people counted down from five to mark the occasion.
