Summary

  • We are ending our live coverage on this page - you can read our wrap of the day's celebrations here

  • The United States is marking its 250th birthday with nationwide events, including a series of concerts and flypasts, as well as fireworks displays

  • President Donald Trump gave a heavily historical speech, which was delayed due to bad weather, focusing on historical flags and inviting war heroes to the stage

  • The National Mall stage and Great American State Fair reopened in Washington after being evacuated

  • Temperatures over 100F (38C), as well as rain and the threat of thunderstorms, have disrupted some celebrations

  • US citizens have been telling the BBC their thoughts about the anniversary of Independence Day

Live Reporting

Edited by Ann Butler and Toby Mann, with reporting from Bernd Debusmann Jr

  1. America 250 vs Freedom 250: What’s the difference?

    Wide shot of the Capitol building and National Mall showing tents of the Great American State Fair, a white ferris wheel in the centreGetty Images

    Events to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday are being organised by two competing entities.

    America250 was established by Congress a decade ago to plan nonpartisan events. It’s headed by Rosie Rios, who served in the Obama administration, and its board members are made up of a mix of Republicans and Democrats.

    On 4 July, it is hosting several events in cities across the nation including a Los Angeles concert headlined by funk legend Chaka Khan and country music star Chris Stapleton.

    Freedom 250, on the other hand, is a separate organisation created by US President Donald Trump. It was behind the UFC match on the White House lawn last month and is hosting the Great American State Fair in Washington DC.

    A planned concert faced significant disruption after some of the named artists pulled out. Critics say the president has used Freedom250 to usurp America250’s role and inserted himself into the centre of America's 250th birthday celebrations.

    • Read more of our coverage here and here.

  2. US celebrates 250th birthday amid sweltering heatwave

    Man carries an American flag during a morning run past the Reflecting Pool as the city prepares for July 4th festivities on July 03, 2026, in Washington, DC.Getty Images

    Celebrations are taking place across the US today to mark its 250th birthday.

    Large-scale fireworks, a flyover of fighter jets, and a Trump rally are among the events marking Independence Day in Washington DC alone.

    Elsewhere, artists including Christina Aguilera, Mary J Blige and the Smashing Pumpkins are set to perform at celebratory concerts - in Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles respectively.

    But some planned events have already been disrupted as forecasters warn of extremely hot temperatures and thunderstorms, as a sweltering heatwave grips parts of the eastern and central US.

    Multiple events across the country have already been cancelled - with some pushed back to later in the day.

    In a speech at the iconic Mount Rushmore last night, US President Donald Trump called the holiday "one of the most extraordinary days in the history of the world".

    He has been accused by opponents of politicising the nation's anniversary - in the same speech he said the "American identity [is] under a renewed attack", and claimed there has been an "undeniable attempt... to beat the American spirit out of us".

    We'll bring you coverage of the celebrations here throughout the day.