Independence Day is Tuesday, but many people in the United States started celebrations early as part of a long holiday weekend.

As travel ramped up ahead of the holiday, millions of people were dealing with a dangerous heat wave that brought triple-digit temperatures to parts of the South. And a new heat wave was building in the West.

Fireworks erupt over the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, on Tuesday.
Fireworks erupt over the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, on Tuesday.
Nathan Howard/Getty Images
People gather to watch fireworks on South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida, on Tuesday.
People gather to watch fireworks on South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida, on Tuesday.
Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images
Boy Scouts carry a large American flag during a Fourth of July parade in Edmond, Oklahoma, on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts carry a large American flag during a Fourth of July parade in Edmond, Oklahoma, on Tuesday.
Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman/USA Today Network
President Joe Biden speaks in front of the White House during a barbecue held for military families on Tuesday.
President Joe Biden speaks in front of the White House during a barbecue held for military families on Tuesday.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Joey Chestnut raises his arms in celebration Tuesday after successfully defending his title in the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which takes place every year in New York. He ate 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
Joey Chestnut raises his arms in celebration Tuesday after successfully defending his title in the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which takes place every year in New York. He ate 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images
An eagle balloon is flown near the Washington Monument during a parade on Tuesday.
An eagle balloon is flown near the Washington Monument during a parade on Tuesday.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images
Red, white and blue water jets are propelled from a boat in New York City on Tuesday.
Red, white and blue water jets are propelled from a boat in New York City on Tuesday.
Jeenah Moon/Reuters
Local residents, including a woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty wrapped in caution tape, hold their own Fourth of July Parade in the Lanesville neighborhood of Gloucester, Massachusetts on Tuesday.
Local residents, including a woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty wrapped in caution tape, hold their own Fourth of July Parade in the Lanesville neighborhood of Gloucester, Massachusetts on Tuesday.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
A member of the Tutu Live Krewe marches during a parade in Texas City, Texas, on Tuesday.
A member of the Tutu Live Krewe marches during a parade in Texas City, Texas, on Tuesday.
Adrees Latif/Reuters
New US citizens wave flags after being sworn in at a naturalization ceremony in Mount Vernon, Virginia, on Tuesday.
New US citizens wave flags after being sworn in at a naturalization ceremony in Mount Vernon, Virginia, on Tuesday.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images
Colonial re-enactors fire their weapons during a parade in Gloucester, Massachusetts, on Monday, July 3.
Colonial re-enactors fire their weapons during a parade in Gloucester, Massachusetts, on Monday, July 3.
Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images
Kids jump into the ocean in Gloucester, Massachusetts, on Monday.
Kids jump into the ocean in Gloucester, Massachusetts, on Monday.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
A full moon is seen behind the Statue of Liberty on Sunday.
A full moon is seen behind the Statue of Liberty on Sunday.
Gary Hershorn/Corbis News/Getty Images
A crowd watches fireworks Saturday at the Monroe County Fairgrounds in Bloomington, Indiana.
A crowd watches fireworks Saturday at the Monroe County Fairgrounds in Bloomington, Indiana.
Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
Fireworks explode over Boston Harbor on Saturday.
Fireworks explode over Boston Harbor on Saturday.
Michael Dwyer/AP
People ride bikes in Huntington Beach, California, on Saturday.
People ride bikes in Huntington Beach, California, on Saturday.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Janay Tate blows bubbles with her daughter Imory during an Independence Day celebration in Indiantown, Florida, on Saturday.
Janay Tate blows bubbles with her daughter Imory during an Independence Day celebration in Indiantown, Florida, on Saturday.
Crystal Vander Weit/TCPalm/USA Today Network
Spectators gather on Florida's Lido Beach on Saturday to watch the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix.
Spectators gather on Florida's Lido Beach on Saturday to watch the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix.
Mike Lang/USA Today Network
Festivalgoers dance at an Independence Day celebration in Richmond Hill, Georgia, on Saturday.
Festivalgoers dance at an Independence Day celebration in Richmond Hill, Georgia, on Saturday.
Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News/USA Today Network
A child eats watermelon at a Fourth of July celebration in Indiantown, Florida, on Saturday.
A child eats watermelon at a Fourth of July celebration in Indiantown, Florida, on Saturday.
Crystal Vander Weit/TCPalm/USA Today Network
Angela Plunkett walks her dogs, Foxy and Bebe, during a patriotic pet parade Saturday in Bastrop, Texas. Plunkett and her dogs took second place in the look-alike category of the competition.
Angela Plunkett walks her dogs, Foxy and Bebe, during a patriotic pet parade Saturday in Bastrop, Texas. Plunkett and her dogs took second place in the look-alike category of the competition.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman/USA Today Network
A person cools off on a water slide in Dublin, California, on Saturday.
A person cools off on a water slide in Dublin, California, on Saturday.
Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group/AP
Travelers arrive at Union Station in Washington, DC, on Friday.
Travelers arrive at Union Station in Washington, DC, on Friday.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
A family purchases fireworks in Ocala, Florida, on Friday.
A family purchases fireworks in Ocala, Florida, on Friday.
Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner/USA Today Network
Spectators watch fireworks in the Queens borough of New York City on Thursday.
Spectators watch fireworks in the Queens borough of New York City on Thursday.
Ron Adar/Alamy Live News/AP
Travelers wait for their bags Thursday amid rows of luggage at Los Angeles International Airport.
Travelers wait for their bags Thursday amid rows of luggage at Los Angeles International Airport.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Motorists travel along the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on Thursday.
Motorists travel along the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on Thursday.
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg/Getty Images