WASHINGTON — Americans marked the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence over the weekend with parades, fireworks, community gatherings and official ceremonies, even as an intense heat wave and severe thunderstorms forced cancellations, delays and other disruptions across parts of the country.
The milestone celebrations on July 4 drew large crowds from coast to coast despite dangerous weather conditions. The National Weather Service warned that roughly 160 million people were under major or extreme heat alerts as temperatures climbed into the upper 90s and low 100s Fahrenheit across much of the eastern United States, with higher heat index values in some locations.
In Washington, the centerpiece of the national observance was affected by both extreme heat and evening thunderstorms. Organizers canceled the Independence Day Parade because of safety concerns, while the Great American State Fair on the National Mall temporarily closed during the hottest part of the day before reopening. A thunderstorm later prompted authorities to evacuate sections of the National Mall, delaying President Donald Trump's address and the evening fireworks program before festivities resumed after the weather passed.
Cities elsewhere also adjusted plans in response to the weather. Officials in Philadelphia canceled or rescheduled some outdoor events, while communities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic modified celebration schedules, expanded cooling measures and urged attendees to remain hydrated and seek shelter if conditions worsened.
Despite the disruptions, Americans gathered in cities including Boston, New York and Chicago for traditional Independence Day activities, including public readings of the Declaration of Independence, neighborhood parades, concerts and fireworks displays. Many families continued longstanding holiday traditions such as barbecues and community festivals while following local weather advisories.
In Washington, Trump addressed the nation after the delay, describing the anniversary as a historic milestone and praising the country's achievements before a large fireworks display concluded the evening's events.
Meteorologists said the prolonged heat wave ranked among the most significant to affect the eastern United States in recent years, with numerous daily temperature records challenged or broken during the holiday period. Forecasters expected temperatures to moderate gradually in parts of the Northeast after the weekend, although some areas remained under heat advisories as officials continued to monitor conditions.
