US begins 250th independence anniversary amid heat wave and political divides

The United States began marking the 250th anniversary of its independence with fireworks, parades and altered public events. The milestone unfolded amid a punishing heat wave and stark political divisions over the country's future.

In Short

• Washington's main parade was cancelled, but a smaller Capitol Hill march proceeded
• Trump was scheduled to address crowds before a massive fireworks display
• New York opened festivities with tall ships, a midnight ball drop

The United States began marking the 250th anniversary of American independence on Saturday amid sharp political polarisation and a severe heat wave affecting millions across several states. The signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of history's best-known statements of democratic ambition, is being observed in different ways across the country, although extreme weather has forced some events to be changed or cancelled.

President Donald Trump is due to speak on the National Mall ahead of what is being billed as a historically enormous fireworks show over Washington. Fireworks are also planned over Navy Pier in Chicago and against the New York City skyline, while New York ushered in the holiday with a midnight ball drop and a parade of tall ships past the Statue of Liberty, recalling the celebrations around America's 200th anniversary in 1976.

Anticipation for the milestone holiday had been building for much of the year, offering Americans a chance to reflect on their complicated history as former colonists of an empire who later became a superpower. But celebrations planned over several months had to be adjusted, with much of the East Coast sweltering under temperatures that approached and, in many places, crossed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

In Washington, the city's main Independence Day parade scheduled for Saturday was cancelled, though a smaller parade went ahead in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood, where people stood under trees for shade. Also in the area, dozens of members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front, wearing face masks and carrying Confederate battle flags, held a march. No arrests were reported, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. An extreme heat warning was issued for the District of Columbia, where heat index values could approach 115 degrees Fahrenheit, or 46 degrees Celsius. Triple-digit heat was forecast across the eastern US from the South to New England, although strong thunderstorms later could bring some relief.

Elsewhere, about 45 minutes before the World Cup match in Houston, a holiday message from astronauts aboard the International Space Station was shown inside the stadium. On New York's Coney Island, the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest took place in difficult conditions because of the heat. Joey "Jaws" Chestnut won for the 18th time in 21 appearances after eating 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. In the women's event, defending champion Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, kept her title by eating 38.75 hot dogs. Both champions said the heat wave had made the contest harder.

The celebrations are also taking place during an election year marked by deep divisions over politics, culture, race, class and immigration. At Mount Rushmore on Friday, Trump spoke of communism as a "mortal threat to American liberty" and said it was more dangerous than either World War or 9/11. Without naming Trump, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat and democratic socialist who recently backed several successful congressional primary candidates, appeared to refer to him in a speech on Friday. "Those ideals upon which our nation was built - they are strong enough to endure any authoritarian regime, but only if we reach for them," he said.

Former Democratic president Bill Clinton said the anniversary comes at a time of "renewed questions about America's future and role in the world, and serious threats to our own institutions and to our democracy itself". While criticising "the people in charge", he said in a statement that "there is still nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what's right with America". Vice President JD Vance said small but loud voices would focus on the country's flaws on its birthday rather than its strengths. "They will tell you that America is just another country, where the weak struggle against the strong," Vance said aboard the USS Kearsarge in New York Harbour.

As the anniversary celebrations unfolded, the United States found itself balancing a landmark national occasion with dangerous heat, altered public events and an intensely divided political atmosphere.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends