Summary

  • The United States is celebrating its 250th birthday with nationwide events, including a series of concerts and fireworks displays - here's a look at some of the performers

  • Some of the events marking the landmark anniversary have had to be cancelled, or will start later, as parts of the US grapple with extreme heat

  • Temperatures of over 100F (38C) are expected along parts of the East Coast, while thunderstorms and flash flooding could follow in the days ahead

  • In Washington DC, President Donald Trump will also speak at what has been billed as a "spectacular rally" on the National Mall

  • Trump has been accused of politicising the celebrations - in a Mount Rushmore speech last night he said that the "American identity [is] under a renewed attack"

Live Reporting

Edited by Rorey Bosotti and Charlotte Hadfield

  1. Closed roads, fenced off areas, and bags of fireworks - preparations in Washington DC

    A view looking down 14th Street NW along the National Mall. Several large trucks are spread across the road lengthways at two different points along the street. Rows of metal barriers are seen at the fore front as people walk along a zebra crossing behind them. Rows of trees line each side of the road, next to blocks of large high rise buildings.Getty Images

    14th Street NW along the National Mall is closed to traffic ahead of the celebrations later tonight

    A group of five people are stood next to fencing that surrounds the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. One person to the right appears to be taking a picture of the pool, while what appears to be a family of four stand to the left. The Washington monument is seen in the distance on the other side of the reflecting pool.EPA

    Fences erected in preparation for the large fireworks display surround the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

    Several black bags have placed in rows on stone paving on the right side walkway of the Reflecting Pool in Washington. There is also a long line of black bags, which seem to be made from a different material, placed right on the edge of the Reflecting Pool. The base of the Washington Monument is seen in the distance behind a stage.Getty Images

    Fireworks have been set up along the side of the Reflecting Pool ahead of the display

    Three pontoons pictured floating in a line in the Potomac River. They are each carrying dozens of black bags, which have been arranged in rows and supposedly contain fireworks. At the nearest pontoon, two small boats are pushing it from the right, while another small boat is pushing from the left. A bridge can be seen in the far distance crossing the river.EPA

    Tonight's display will see fireworks launched from 10 sites across the city, including eight barges on the Potomac River

  2. White supremacist group gathers amid 4 July celebrations

    Members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front loads US flags into a van in Washington. Behind them is a larger group of men who appear to be lined up in unison. They are all wearing white balaclavas, sunglasses and hats, with dark blue shirts and beige trousers.Reuters

    Members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front have descended on Washington amid the celebrations for America's 250th birthday.

    A large group of men, many wearing white balaclavas, sunglasses and caps bearing the group's logo, were seen carrying US flags while marching on unison through the streets.

    Patriot Front was formed in 2017 after the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

    The group's manifesto calls for the formation of a white ethnostate in the US, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups.

    Several groups reflecting a range of political views have sought to use this year's anniversary to spread their own ideas of American identity. Trump himself has been accused by Democrats of hijacking the celebration to further his political agenda.

    Last night, the president used a speech at Mount Rushmore to attack what he called "the communist menace" and claim American identity is "under a renewed attack".

    Patriot Front founder Thomas Rousseau wearing a large brimmed beige hat, partially unbottoned blue shirt and beige khakis surrounded by members of the group in matching outfitsGetty Images

    Patriot Front founder Thomas Rousseau was seen gathering with members of the white supremacist group at Eastern Market train station, close to Capitol Hill

  3. All of us will need to do our part to create the next 250 years of American greatness - Vance

    JD Vance delivers a speech on the USS Kearsarge. The Statue of Liberty and a boat with red sails can be seen behind himReuters

    We can now bring you some more from Vice-President JD Vance, who has asked his fellow Americans to reject the "two dimensional view" of their citizens and country.

    US history is built on "carving a great civilisation out of the wilderness", he says as he adds that everything the US has done, it has done together - not as citizens divided against each other.

    Vance says that all US citizens have played their part before referencing the US' role in World War Two and when its astronauts went to the moon.

    "All of us have a part, all of us had our part... All of us will need to do our part to create the next 250 years of American greatness," he adds.

    He says he is proud of all Americans and says happy birthday to the nation before wrapping up.

  4. King Charles hails US-UK relationship ahead of 250th birthday celebrations

    On the other side of the Atlantic, King Charles has hailed the relationship between the US and the UK in a message commemorating the US's 250th birthday.

    "Through centuries of shared challenge and achievement, our nations have built a relationship founded on friendship, trust and a belief in liberty, the rule of law and the dignity of all people," His Majesty says in a statement shared on X.

    "I have no doubt we will continue to defend our shared values," he adds. "The connection between our people is one I trust will only grow stronger."

    King Charles III and US President Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington DC, on day two of the state visit to the US, on 28 April 2026PA Media

  5. 'Today we celebrate 250 years of America facing the future without fear,' says Vance

    US Vice president JD Vance in a blue suit, red tie and white shirt, delivers a speech aboard USS Kearsarge in New York HarborGetty Images

    Vice President JD Vance has thanked President Donald Trump as he delivers a speech on USS Kearsarge in New York City.

    He says the US celebrates 250 years of "American daring and American naval excellence".

    "Today we celebrate 250 years of America, facing the future without fear. We celebrate 250 years of proving what a free people can achieve," he says.

    Vance pays tribute to the US' sailors, police officers, emergency workers as well as the dozens of Navy chiefs who are visiting the country from around the world.

    He then proceeds to read the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self evidence that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights and among these rights are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

    Vance says that 250 years later these words remind US citizens who they are as a people, noting that the words still carry tremendous power.

  6. Vance speaking aboard amphibious assault ship in New York Harbor

    The USS Kearsarge sits in the New York City harbor ahead of the International Naval Review on July 4, 2026 in New York CityGetty Images

    USS Kearsarge, an amphibious assault ship launched in 1992, will be where JD Vance will make his address to mark the 250 years of independence

    Vice-President JD Vance is kicking off celebrations this morning with a speech aboard the USS Kearsarge in New York Harbor.

    • You can watch live at the top of this page

    Officials say the USS Kearsarge will be the "centrepiece" of the day's festivities in the harbour, with Vance speaking following the International Naval Review 250, led by the Navy's acting Secretary Hung Cao.

    Vance will deliver remarks "commemorating America's 250th birthday", honouring service personnel and celebrating the "strength, leadership and freedom" that has made the US the "greatest nation in the history of the world"," say officials.

    Navy and marine officers wait on board the USS Kearsarge ahead of the Sail4th 250 in New York Bay, the skyline of the Big Apple visible in the distanceEPA

  7. Pop stars to perform across US to celebrate 250 years of independence

    Christina Aguilera performs during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026Getty Images

    Christina Aguilera will perform at Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway alongside Will Smith

    From Christina Aguilera to Will Smith and Chaka Khan, artists across the US are performing in celebration of the country's 250 years of independence.

    Those run by Congress' America 250 body include Mary J Blige, Brad Paisley, and Ne-Yo who will perform at New York City's Times Square, from 21:00 local time (Sunday 02:00 BST).

    In Los Angeles, Chaka Khan joins Chris Stapleton and the Smashing Pumpkins at the LA Memorial Coliseum, with the show kicking off at 18:30 local time (Sunday 02:30 BST).

    If you feel like seeing Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, Seal and Meek Mill this evening, Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway is where you'll need to be at 17:00 (22:00 BST).

    US President Trump has also attempted to organise his own "Freedom 250" concert series in DC, announcing shows from Martina McBride, The Commodores and Bret Michaels - before several acts pulled out following political backlash.

    Performing today ahead of his speech in Washington DC will be, among others, singer and rapper CeeLo Green and rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 19:00 local time (00:00 BST).

  8. 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.

  9. 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.