U.S. President Donald Trump marks the country’s 250th anniversary on Saturday with a political rally on a fenced-off National Mall in Washington, capping a weeks-long celebration that has been widely criticized as divisive.
Across the United States, Americans plan to celebrate the patriotic holiday with fireworks and parades. Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence from Britain was signed 250 years ago on July 4, 1776, will offer free cupcakes and a six-hour pop-music concert, while New York will feature tall ships from around the world.
In the nation’s capital, Trump will place himself at the center of the celebration.
The president has billed his evening appearance among the city’s iconic monuments as “the most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all,” accompanied by military flyovers and a super-sized fireworks display.
Washington’s annual July 4 celebration typically draws hundreds of thousands of people, who this year will have to contend with stepped-up security, possible thunderstorms and temperatures that could top 100F (38C).
Past U.S. presidents have steered clear of the celebration, but Trump has blurred the line between official commemoration and campaign-style politics.
