It’s Fourth of July weekend in the United States — and this one is special.

Saturday marks the nation’s 250th birthday, and Americans are marking the milestone with cookouts, parades, fireworks and other traditions.

In the nation's capital, celebrations are set to culminate with a speech from President Donald Trump and a record-breaking fireworks show on the National Mall.

Complicating matters, however, is a dangerous heat wave that has been shattering records, straining the electric grid and raising the risk for millions of people who choose to celebrate outdoors.

Members of the US Navy watch a helicopter carry an American flag over the New York Harbor during the Sail 250 parade of ships on July 4.
Members of the US Navy watch a helicopter carry an American flag over the New York Harbor during the Sail 250 parade of ships on July 4.
David Dee Delgado/Reuters
President Donald Trump speaks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial near Keystone, South Dakota, on Friday, July 3.
President Donald Trump speaks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial near Keystone, South Dakota, on Friday, July 3.
Matt Gade/AP
A child waves an American flag while waiting for Trump to speak at Mount Rushmore on July 3.
A child waves an American flag while waiting for Trump to speak at Mount Rushmore on July 3.
Matt Gade/AP
Flyovers are performed over Washington, DC, on July 3.
Flyovers are performed over Washington, DC, on July 3.
Surya Vaidy/CNN
People take a break from the heat at the American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on July 3.
People take a break from the heat at the American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on July 3.
Tristen Rouse/CNN
Attendees line up to enter air-conditioned areas at the Great American State Fair on July 3.
Attendees line up to enter air-conditioned areas at the Great American State Fair on July 3.
Surya Vaidy/CNN
A trash can overflows with water bottles at the Great American State Fair on July 3.
A trash can overflows with water bottles at the Great American State Fair on July 3.
Allison Robbert/AP
Lex Randall, 10, competes in a soap box derby race in Council, Idaho, on July 3.
Lex Randall, 10, competes in a soap box derby race in Council, Idaho, on July 3.
Loren Elliott/The New York Times/The New York Times/Redux
People walk near the fencing at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on July 3, 2026.
People walk along the fencing surrounding the National Mall on July 3.
Tristen Rouse/CNN
Guests move around the Great American State Fair in Washington, DC, on July 3.
Guests move around the Great American State Fair in Washington, DC, on July 3.
Surya Vaidy/CNN
Caleb, left, and Joshua Fendrick, who are visiting from Florida, gather for a group photo after an Independence Day parade in Philadelphia was canceled on July 3 due to extreme heat.
Caleb, left, and Joshua Fendrick, who are visiting from Florida, gather for a group photo after an Independence Day parade in Philadelphia was canceled on July 3 due to extreme heat.
Rachel Wisniewski/The New York Times/Redux
A man sleeps on the steps outside Moynihan Train Hall in New York as decorations marking the 250th anniversary of the country are displayed on Thursday, July 2.
A man sleeps on the steps outside Moynihan Train Hall in New York as decorations marking the 250th anniversary of the country are displayed on Thursday, July 2.
Andres Kudacki/AP
People watch a fireworks show from the back of a pickup truck in Mansfield, Texas, on July 2.
People watch a fireworks show from the back of a pickup truck in Mansfield, Texas, on July 2.
Desiree Rios/The New York Times/Redux
250 people pose while forming the shape of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia on July 2.
250 people pose while forming the shape of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia on July 2.
Hannah Beier/Reuters
Guests pose for pictures atop a tank during the III Armored Corps and Central Texas Freedom Ball at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center near Fort Hood in Texas on July 2. Soldiers, military families and Texas leaders gathered to commemorate Independence Day.
Guests pose for pictures atop a tank during the III Armored Corps and Central Texas Freedom Ball at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center near Fort Hood in Texas on July 2. Soldiers, military families and Texas leaders gathered to commemorate Independence Day.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
People sit in front of air conditioner vents to cool down at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on July 2.
People sit in front of air conditioner vents to cool down at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on July 2.
Allison Robbert/AP
Hay bales wrapped in an American flag pattern sit in a field near Melbourne, Iowa, on July 2.
Hay bales wrapped in an American flag pattern sit in a field near Melbourne, Iowa, on July 2.
Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times/Redux
Members of a dance studio from Claymont, Delaware, prepare to march in the Red, White and Blue To-Do Pomp and Parade in Philadelphia on July 2.
Members of a dance studio from Claymont, Delaware, prepare to march in the Red, White and Blue To-Do Pomp and Parade in Philadelphia on July 2.
Al Drago/Getty Images
People arrive to participate in the Independence Day rodeo on July 2 in Sutherland, Nebraska.
People arrive to participate in the Independence Day rodeo on July 2 in Sutherland, Nebraska.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Members of the Filipino American Alliance Church gather for a potluck ahead of a fireworks show in Mansfield, Texas, on July 2.
Members of the Filipino American Alliance Church gather for a potluck ahead of a fireworks show in Mansfield, Texas, on July 2.
Desiree Rios/The New York Times/Redux
A member of the honor guard sweats as he stands guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, July 1.
A member of the honor guard sweats as he stands guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, July 1.
Craig Hudson/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Trump gestures from a ceremonial train during the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, on July 1.
Trump gestures from a ceremonial train during the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, on July 1.
Evan Vucci/Reuters
Molly Collins, front, and Tiffany Couch perform a baptism for Laura Oxendine during the Great American State Fair in Washington, DC, on July 1.
Molly Collins, front, and Tiffany Couch perform a baptism for Laura Oxendine during the Great American State Fair in Washington, DC, on July 1.
Tyler M. Andrews/The Washington Post/Getty Images
Vice President JD Vance speaks at an event marking 250 years of the American military at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 1.
Vice President JD Vance speaks at an event marking 250 years of the American military at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 1.
Ken Cedenoe/Pool/AP
A star is added to an American flag mural project at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Houston on July 1.
A star is added to an American flag mural project at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Houston on July 1.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle/Getty Images
People ride the Ferris wheel at the Great American State Fair in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, June 30.
People ride the Ferris wheel at the Great American State Fair in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, June 30.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
A 300-foot-wide by 150-foot-tall American flag is suspended across the Hoover Dam in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada on June 30.
A 300-foot-wide by 150-foot-tall American flag is suspended across the Hoover Dam in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada on June 30.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
The Great American State Fair on the National Mall is seen through an American flag on June 30.
The Great American State Fair on the National Mall is seen through an American flag on June 30.
Jen Golbeck/AP
The Statue of Liberty in New York is illuminated to mark America 250 on June 30. Behind it, the Empire State Building is lit up in the colors of the flag of France to mark its World Cup victory over Sweden. France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States in 1886.
The Statue of Liberty in New York is illuminated to mark America 250 on June 30. Behind it, the Empire State Building is lit up in the colors of the flag of France to mark its World Cup victory over Sweden. France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States in 1886.
Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
Eyaska Taylor, 9, center, of the Ponca and Rosebud Sioux Tribes, waits to go on stage during the "All of US 250" protest in Washington, DC, on Saturday, June 27.
Eyaska Taylor, 9, center, of the Ponca and Rosebud Sioux Tribes, waits to go on stage during the "All of US 250" protest in Washington, DC, on Saturday, June 27.
Rod Lamkey Jr./AP
A performer swings a lasso during the Great American State Fair in Washington, DC, on Thursday, June 25.
A performer swings a lasso during the Great American State Fair in Washington, DC, on Thursday, June 25.
Jabin Botsford/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Great American State Fair kicks off on Wednesday, June 24. The fair is taking place on the National Mall through July 10.
The Great American State Fair kicks off on Wednesday, June 24. The fair is taking place on the National Mall through July 10.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images