Americans are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the country's independence on Saturday with fireworks, concerts and public events, as political tensions and a severe heat wave shape this year's historic celebrations.
The anniversary marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of the world's most influential documents on democracy.
President Donald Trump is expected to play a central role in the celebrations, delivering a speech on the National Mall in Washington before a major fireworks display over the U.S. capital.
On Friday, Trump spoke at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, where he warned about what he described as the growing threat of communism in the United States.
Across the country, cities are hosting a wide range of events to mark the milestone. Fireworks displays are planned over Navy Pier in Chicago and New York City's skyline. New York also welcomed the anniversary with a midnight ball drop similar to its New Year's Eve celebration.
Bristol, Rhode Island, which says it has hosted the nation's oldest Independence Day celebration since 1785, is also holding special events.
In Los Angeles, a concert hosted by Queen Latifah will feature performances by The Smashing Pumpkins and Chris Stapleton, with Chaka Khan appearing as a special guest.
Many celebrations, however, have been disrupted by extreme heat affecting large parts of the eastern United States.
In Washington, the Great American State Fair was temporarily closed on Friday during the hottest part of the day, while the city's Independence Day parade scheduled for Saturday was canceled because of the weather.
Conditions were much cooler in the Pacific Northwest, where temperatures stayed in the 60s Fahrenheit with occasional light rain.
In Issaquah, near Seattle, resident Megan Kurowski said people in her community were excited to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary and that she planned to watch the fireworks from a paddleboard.
The holiday weekend also features several major sporting and entertainment events. More than a dozen Major League Baseball games are scheduled, while the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues with Round of 16 matches in Houston and Philadelphia.
The celebrations come at a time of deep political polarization in the United States, with debates over politics, race, immigration and social issues continuing to divide the country.
Speaking at Mount Rushmore, Trump described communism as the greatest threat to American freedom.
Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, without mentioning Trump by name, urged Americans to uphold the country's democratic values and resist authoritarianism.
In Topeka, Kansas, auto technician Joe Fuqua-Bejarano said the country's greatest strength was its resilience rather than its politics. While selling fireworks, he expressed hope that Americans could find greater unity despite their differences.
Jerry Chin of Newcastle, Washington, said he planned to spend the holiday quietly at home with his wife and dogs instead of watching fireworks. While calling America "a great place," he acknowledged that the country still faces significant challenges.