In the middle of a complicated transatlantic dialogue, the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary of independence in Brussels' Parc du Cinquantenaire on Sunday, located right next to EU institutions.
Nearly 10,000 guests enjoyed a full day of activities and performances that concluded with a drone and fireworks display. Many US military personnel based in the Belgian capital were also in attendance.
Named "250 Years of Independence: Building Our Future Together," the lavish celebration included various "American activities" such as baseball, a mechanical bull and line dancing. The festivities also featured music and a ceremonial flyover.
The US Ambassador to Belgium, Bill White, opened the celebrations before a high-profile gathering in Brussels, with a line-up of speeches by notable dignitaries, including Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
Sending a video message, US President Donald Trump thanked the participants, noting that the people of Belgium and the United States have "defended our common civilisation from the trenches of WWI to the free Belgian forces who fought alongside Americans in WWII."
