Steven SloanJul 5, 2026 – 10.19amWashington | The 250th anniversary of American independence is colliding with a country gripped by political polarisation and a heatwave bearing down on millions of people across multiple states as celebrations got underway on Saturday (Sunday AEST) throughout the United States.The signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of history’s most celebrated articulations of democratic ambitions, is being marked in myriad ways.APSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles