President Trump’s speech was followed by an 860,000 fireworks display that he called the largest in history.
President Trump commemorates America’s 250th anniversary with Independence Day speech
President Donald Trump gave a late-night speech on the National Mall to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump delivered a speech marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, heralding America’s victory in the war, its determination to settle the West and its leadership in space exploration in what he called the “eternal night.”
Celebrations were held across the country, more than 40 tall ships from around the world entered New York Harbor, crowds gathered in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence from Britain was drafted, and thousands of Americans took the oath of citizenship.
President Trump’s speech spoke of the importance of leading military power and technological discovery. He also occasionally strayed into the world of politics, saying that communism must be defeated now, just as fascism was in past wars.
President Trump said of the signers of the Declaration of Independence: “In signing the Roll of Liberty, these 56 patriots risked everything, stepped onto the stage of destiny, and won a victory for the ages. That’s what they did. This is the night of eternity.”
Here are seven takeaways from the day’s events.
Campaign elements of Trump’s speech on military, voting, and communism
In between references to history, Mr. Trump occasionally strayed into campaign issues, including the use of military, defending election laws and criticizing communism.
President Trump said he rebuilt the military during his first term so he could use its military might to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to face U.S. corruption charges and destroy Iran’s military.
Trump also called on Congress to pass legislation that would require voters to submit identification documents at polling places, require proof of citizenship to register, and eliminate mail-in voting with exceptions for military members, voters with health conditions, and voters who are traveling.
After a surge in Democratic Socialist victories, President Trump said communism must be stopped.
President Trump said, “America will never become a communist country.” “Communism is a loser and always will be.”
President Trump praises Artemis II astronauts
President Trump praised the Artemis II astronauts who flew around the moon earlier this year and promised to send more missions to the moon and Mars.
The newest astronauts were joined by Jack Schmidt, the last person to walk on the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
President Trump said of the Artemis II crew of Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch, Reed Wiseman and Jeremy Hansen, “They flew further from Earth than anyone has ever flown before.”
Meanwhile, President Trump repeatedly unveiled the historic flag to illustrate his points during his 39-minute speech.
He hoisted two of the earliest American flags with 13 stars representing the original states. One is from 1777 and flew in the decisive battle at Saratoga, New York. The other was the 1781 Battle of Yorktown, Virginia, which ended the Revolutionary War when British troops surrendered.
“This is real,” President Trump said.
He then displayed other special flags, including the flag that covered President Abraham Lincoln’s coffin, the flag presented to President Theodore Roosevelt upon his return from Cuba, and the flag of the USS Arizona, which sank in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii at the start of World War II.
“This is a symbol of American defiance,” Trump said.
Largest fireworks display in history
After President Trump finished his speech, more than 860,000 artillery shells were fired from 10 locations over a period of about 40 minutes, calling it the largest fireworks display in history. The capital’s traditional Independence Day show saw 10,000 shells fired for 18 minutes.
Freedom 250, a White House-backed nonprofit, selected Pyrotechnico, a sixth-generation family-owned company in New Castle, Pennsylvania, to produce the show. The only requirement was to beat the record-setting display in the Philippines in 2016.
Fireworks were set off from eight barges in the Potomac River and West Potomac Park. The lines along the reflecting pool were intended to create a flow explosive similar to the runways surrounding the Lincoln Memorial.
“The best fireworks show ever!” President Trump said on social media.
Fourth of July parades and other events canceled due to historic heat
Washington’s high temperature of 102 degrees exceeded the 1919 record high of 100 degrees. The Great American State Fair and FIFA Fan Zone for watching World Cup soccer games opened at noon for the 1 p.m. game. The National Mall was lined with water distribution stations, cooling tents and air-conditioned buses.
However, the Independence Day parade in the capital was canceled due to the heat. Parades were canceled in several cities, including Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. Boston police closed off the Charles River Esplanade entrance due to “extreme heat” and did not allow spectators until 4 p.m.
Severe thunderstorm warning, weather restriction celebration
Severe thunderstorm warnings led to evacuations of Fourth of July celebrations along the East Coast before spectators returned for performances and fireworks.
- Boston: Around 6:30 p.m., police asked attendees of the Boston Pops fireworks show to evacuate due to inclement weather. The show started around 8pm, about an hour later than scheduled.
- new york: Severe thunderstorm warnings are in effect for New York City, but the event was not canceled. Fireworks started early in the Big Apple to avoid the storm.
- Washington DC: Salute America attendees on the National Mall were asked to evacuate at 7 p.m. due to an approaching thunderstorm. However, the gates reopened at 9:45 p.m. in preparation for President Trump’s speech at 11 p.m.
- Pittsburgh: The city suspended the program after lightning was detected within 13 miles of the area. Organizers asked participants to seek shelter at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown, the United Steelworkers Building Garage, and Acresure Stadium.
- San Francisco: A thick fog blanketed the Golden Gate Bridge and obscured the city’s fireworks display. Instead of a mesmerizing fireworks display, the bridge lit up in shades of green, yellow, and red.
Immigrants pledge allegiance to citizenship
About 150 new U.S. citizens took the oath of allegiance during an annual naturalization ceremony at Mount Vernon, the home of President George Washington in Virginia. Immigrants from around the world officially became Americans, surrounded by relatives.
Smita Sharma, who helped her mother study for the naturalization exam, expressed both excitement and disbelief.
“My upbringing is very different from my parents,” Smita said. “My mother grew up in Nepal, walked to school, and now I can’t even imagine where she came from. I’m sure this is part of her story, and there are things happening to her that she can’t even imagine.”
A large sailing ship enters New York Harbor
More than 30 large ships from around the world sailed from the Verrazzano Bridge over the Hudson River in New York to the George Washington Bridge. These ships were led by the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Eagle, known as America’s tall ship.
Lorraine Bell, a member of the Knickerbocker Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, sported a patriotic pin for the occasion. She kept cool with an electric neck fan and carried frozen water in her bag to beat the heat.
“It’s important to come out here and show that America is still alive and well,” she told USA TODAY, adding that the country is “still a work in progress.”
Contributors: Karissa Waddick, Christopher Cann, Josh Meyer, Swasti Singhai, Edward Cuevas, Bailey Allen, Noah Padilla
