Washington salutes 250 years with Freedom 250 events amid storms and heat

United States marks 250th anniversary with large Washington event

The United States celebrated its 250th anniversary on the National Mall in Washington with a Freedom 250 rally, concert, flyovers and an extensive fireworks display, President Donald Trump said at a delayed event that closed just before midnight.

The celebrations were disrupted by an evening thunderstorm that forced evacuation of the Mall and temporary sheltering for attendees of Salute to America, the Great American State Fair and FIFA fan zone, officials said.

Throughout the day the capital and much of the eastern US endured a heat wave with temperatures exceeding 100F (37C), prompting volunteers on the Mall to hand out bottled water and organisers to cancel or scale back several events for safety.

Trump addressed the crowd with themes including opposition to communism, support for the Save America Act and the right to bear arms, and closed by calling the moment “only the dawn of the golden age of America,” attributing the nation’s destiny to God.

The Freedom 250 programme included a flyover featuring the updated Air Force One jet, musical performances and a concert; the event followed separate bipartisan America 250 activities organised by Congress and local communities.

Across the country, landmark concerts and ceremonies marked the anniversary: performances in New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia; a special flyover above Philadelphia; a time capsule sealed by America 250 organisers; and a naturalisation ceremony at Mount Vernon welcoming 150 new US citizens.

Public gatherings also featured familiar Independence Day traditions. New York held its annual Nathan’s hot dog-eating contest, where Joey Chestnut won the men’s title and Miki Sudo won the women’s event, while America 250 organisers included a signed copy of the Constitution and state artifacts in the time capsule to be opened in 200 years.

Security and public-order concerns were noted when roughly 400 members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front marched in Washington carrying US flags and wearing masks and uniforms; videos of the march circulated on social platforms and the group’s Telegram channel.

Severe weather and the heat wave caused widespread power outages across the eastern US, leaving nearly 750,000 customers without power and another 150,000 in New Jersey affected, according to outage trackers and utility statements; Michigan experienced winds over 60mph that left more than 350,000 homes without power.

All four living former presidents issued statements reflecting on the milestone. President Joe Biden and Barack Obama reiterated that the nation’s founding ideals require continued work; George W. Bush urged active citizenship; and Bill Clinton noted the celebration came amid deep political divisions and challenges to democratic institutions.