US marks its 250th anniversary as a record heat wave disrupts July 4 events

Saturday, July 4th 2026 - 07:28 UTC

A heat dome over the East Coast pushed temperatures to highs near 40 °C, with heat-index values of up to 46 °C and more than 185 million people under weather alerts

The United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence on Saturday amid a historic heat wave that has forced the suspension or rescheduling of events in several cities across the country. The semiquincentennial commemoration, recalling the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776, will have its centerpiece on the National Mall in Washington, with a speech by President Donald Trump and the largest fireworks display in history.

A heat dome over the East Coast pushed temperatures to highs near 40 °C, with heat-index values of up to 46 °C and more than 185 million people under weather alerts. The heat forced cancellations: Philadelphia —the birthplace of independence— suspended its parade, and in Washington the National Park Service parade was canceled and the Great American State Fair, one of the anniversary's attractions, was temporarily closed when the thermometer reached 38 °C. Organizers of the main event set up hydration and misting stations and allowed attendees to bring empty water bottles.