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US@250 | President hails ‘American dream’ at delayed event as fireworks, nationwide festivities, naturalisation ceremonies mark I-Day amid extreme weather and political criticism

Long live the cause of independence. May it reign forever and ever and ever. We will always be on top, we will never let our country fall, we will always be the best. 

Washington: President Donald Trump led Indepen­dence Day celebrations marking the US's 250th anniversary on July 4 with fireworks, military flyovers and patriotic events, although festivities across the country were disrupted by extreme weather.

Addressing supporters at Washington's National Mall after a thunderstorm delayed proceedings, Trump declared, “The American dream is ba­ck,” before a fireworks display billed as the world's largest.

Marking the anniversary of the Declaration of Indep­en­dence, he said, “Long live the cause of independence. May it reign forever and ever and ever. We will always be on top, we will never let our country fall, we will always be the best.”

The federal holiday commemorates the 13 US colonies adopting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Trump's speech also touched on political themes, including the rejection of communism, support for the Save America Act and the right to bear arms, prompting criticism from opponents who accused him of politicising the anniversary and making himself the focus of the celebrations.

Referring to Cold War veterans, he said: “America will never be a communist cou­n­try. Communism is a loser, and it always will be.” He described communist ideology as “a cancer” that should be stopped “before it begins”.

The storm forced the temporary evacuation of the National Mall, where visitors attending Salute to America, the Great American State Fair and the Fifa fan zone were asked to take shelter. Festivities resumed later with a flyover featuring the new Air Force One, concerts and a fireworks display. Across the US, communities marked the anniversary with block parties, concerts and naturalisation ceremonies. At Mount Vernon in Virginia, 150 people from 50 countries became US citizens. In Philadelphia, organisers buried a time capsule containing artefacts from all 50 states and US territories.

New York City’s annual hot dog eating contest saw Joey Chestnut win his 18th title after consuming 66 hot dogs in 10 minutes, while Miki Sudo claimed her 12th women’s title. 

Extreme heat and storms disrupted celebrations in several states. Some I-Day events were cancelled, while about 7,50,000 properties across the Midwest and East Coast lost power due to severe weather.

The four living former US presidents also issued messages to mark the anniversary. Joe Biden said the nation's promise that all people are created equal remains “a work in progress”. Barack Obama urged Americans to carry forward the nation's “unfinished work”. George W Bush said “the next 250 years require Americans to be citizens, not spectators”, while Bill Clinton warned that the US faced deep political divisions and threats to its democratic institutions.