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Washington's July 4 parade is off. The fireworks are still on

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− By Willem Marx , Geoff Brumfiel , Chandelis Duster People begin to arrive after severe weather caused a delay in the Salute to America, an Independence Day event honoring the nation's 250th anniversary, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington.
+ By Willem Marx , Geoff Brumfiel , Chandelis Duster Fireworks explode over the Lincoln Memorial during Salute to America, an Independence Day event honoring the nation's 250th anniversary, early Sunday, July 5, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington as seen from Arlington, Va.
− Alex Brandon/AP hide caption WASHINGTON — The gates to the National Mall are reopening at 9:45 p.m. ET, at the direction of President Trump, to resume celebrations for America's 250th birthday, after attendees were evacuated due to stormy weather, organizers said.
+ Jose Luis Magana/AP hide caption WASHINGTON — President Trump lauded America's storied history on Saturday night in a speech marking the 250th anniversary of its independence, while also praising his war in Iran, railing against "communists," and vowing to restrict mail-in ballots.
− Trump will give his speech at 11 p.m. with fireworks to follow, Freedom 250 officials said in a social media post.
+ Trump took to the stage at the National Mall around 11:15 p.m., after stormy weather forced evacuations and delays.
− "America, it's time to celebrate!," the post read.
+ "For two and a half centuries our American Republic has stood as the crowning achievement of human history," Trump said.
− "Rain or shine, the American people deserve a celebration worthy of our nation's historic 250th birthday.
+ "And we're doing better now than we've ever done before." President Donald Trump speaks at Salute to America, an Independence Day event honoring the nation's 250th anniversary, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington.
− For 250 years, Americans have overcome every challenge with grit, resilience, and determination.
+ Alex Brandon/AP hide caption Trump went into the country's history, praising the founding fathers and the Constitution, and brought out several antique U.S.
− A little rain will never diminish our pride, our patriotism, or our celebration of the greatest nation in the history of the world." The update comes less than two hours after event officials told attendees to evacuate and seek shelter in nearby federal buildings and museums.
+ flags, including one which he said had been draped over Abraham Lincoln's coffin. Several veterans appeared on stage and Trump thanked them for their service.
− "A severe thunderstorm is occurring near the National Mall.
+ He also referred to his own use of America's military might, saying the U.S.
− Seek shelter immediately. Do not wait. Follow instructions from event staff and public safety officials on site," DC Homeland Security & Emergency Management said in a social media post Saturday evening.
+ had "sunk Iran's entire navy," since the war began in February.
− Organizers of Freedom 250 had also instructed attendees to seek shelter. "The safety of our guests, performers, and staff is our top priority.
+ He then used the occasion to warn against communism, which he likened to cancer that must be cut out.
− Due to approaching severe storms, Freedom 250, United States Secret Service, United States Park Police, National Park Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and all public safety partners are asking all guests to evacuate event grounds and seek temporary shelter in a nearby building," organizers said in a social media post.
+ He also alluded to voting reforms, vowing to pass the SAVE America Act, which is stalled in Congress and would require proof of citizenship and ID to vote and bar most mail-in ballots.
− Attendees who evacuated — many of whom endured sweltering heat and long lines to get in the first time — will have to go through security again.
+ After his roughly half an hour speech, a massive fireworks display — billed by the White House as the largest in the country's history — lit up the sky, with the pyrotechnics at times competing with lightning.
− The Secret Service said the security checkpoints would reopen shortly and that it's "working to make screening as smooth as possible." Trump said he was willing to wait out the bad weather.
+ Trump and the first lady watched the display together as music including his trademark song YMCA played, and thousands of people packed into the Mall looked on.
− "Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion," he wrote on Truth Social.
+ There had been some doubt the festivities could go ahead at all after federal and local officials told attendees earlier on Saturday night to evacuate and seek shelter in nearby federal buildings and museums due to "a severe thunderstorm." But Trump said he was willing to wait out the bad weather. Law enforcement secure the area as people evacuate because of incoming storms that will delay the program at a Salute to America Independence Day event honoring the nation's 250th anniversary, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington.
+ Alex Brandon/AP hide caption "Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion," he wrote on Truth Social.
"We will wait it out, I don't care if it's 2:00 O'Clock in the morning, or in one hour from now. Looks like it is going to pass, they always do. I will be there no matter what, but the "what" usually turns out to be a good thing. It's Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight. Our great veterans, especially the old timers, many of whom are there, went through hellfire, and it didn't stop them. It's not going to stop us either!
− I'm not going to let some rain stop our 250th." This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Our original story is below.
+ I'm not going to let some rain stop our 250th." It was the latest in a series of weather-related disruptions in the nation's capital to programming around America's 250th anniversary of independence.
− America is marking its 250th birthday in celebrations tempered by a dangerous heatwave and deep political divisions, including in the nation's capital.
+ D.C.'s Independence Day Parade that was planned for the morning was canceled Friday night.
− Washington's National Independence Day Parade has been canceled, according to an announcement from organizers late Friday night. The parade had been scheduled to mark the nation's 250th birthday and begin at 10:30 a.m. ET. Saturday.
Todd Marcocci, president of Under The Sun Productions, which was overseeing the parade, said the move followed consultation with the National Park Service, the D.C. city government and Freedom 250, the nonprofit overseeing the anniversary celebrations. "This decision was made after extensive and careful consideration of the safety of our participants, spectators, and staff as the top priority," he said.
− Attendees walk to attend Independence Day events honoring the nation's 250th anniversary, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington.
+ In the afternoon, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued an extreme heat warning for the D.C.
− Rahmat Gul/AP hide caption The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an extreme heat warning for the D.C.
area, in effect from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
− ET Saturday.
+ ET Saturday, later announcing a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m.
− The agency said heat index values, which combine temperature and humidity, are expected to reach between 110 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit, and warned that "heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events." The NWS said that alongside the high humidity, early morning low temperatures in the 70s and 80s would mean "little to no overnight relief." The service also warned that "prolonged excessive heat may impact power, water, and transportation systems." A separate Code Purple air quality alert — indicating "very unhealthy" — is also in effect for D.C. on Saturday.
+ Saturday.
− The cancellation came hours after Washington recorded its hottest day in decades.
+ Attendees walk to attend Independence Day events honoring the nation's 250th anniversary, Saturday, July 4, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington.
− Reagan National Airport hit 102 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday afternoon, breaking a record of 101 degrees for that specific date, which had stood since 1966.
+ Rahmat Gul/AP hide caption The parade cancellation affected participants who had traveled specifically for the event, including 80 students in the Grand Island Senior High marching band from Nebraska, who had been due to perform.
− Saturday's temperatures are forecast to approach or match that figure, which would make it the hottest July Fourth on record for the city. Elissa from Galveston participates in Sail4th 250 Parade of Ships on New York City's Hudson River on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP hide caption The Statue of Liberty is seen as sailors of a tall ship sail pass in the New York harbor during the International Parade of Sail, part of Sail250, a gathering of tall ships and military ships, Saturday, July 4, 2026, in New York. Pamela Smith/AP hide caption The parade cancellation affected participants who had traveled specifically for the event, including 80 students in the Grand Island Senior High marching band from Nebraska, who had been due to perform.
Their school district confirmed to a local TV station Friday night the band would no longer participate.
− The heat has already disrupted other celebratory events in the city.
+ The heat had already disrupted other celebratory events in the city.
The Great American State Fair on the National Mall shut its doors for several hours Friday afternoon before reopening at 5 p.m. U.S. Capitol police also confirmed that entry to Friday night's "A Capitol Fourth" concert was delayed. On Saturday, organizers delayed the opening of The Great American State Fair on the National Mall until noon, due to the heat. In the morning, the line at one of the two entrances for the venue stretched for blocks along the edge of the National Mall as people waited to pass through airport-style security. In a joint statement, the National Park Service, the United States Secret Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Freedom 250, and United States Park Police said they are working together to "expand cooling resources, water stations, and medical support across the grounds." Once inside, fairgoers had little shade from the scorching sun. Many sought refuge inside air-conditioned tents lining the venue. Free water was also being handed out at stations. Despite the heat, many attendees were in good spirits. "Everybody's smiling and happy, so you go with the flow," said Christie Morris, who was visiting from southern Ohio with her best friend Shirley Jenkins.
− Jenkins added that they intended to stay out for the fireworks and Trump's speech, which was scheduled for late in the evening.
+ Throughline The story of July 4th is messier than you remember Jenkins added that they intended to stay out for the fireworks and Trump's speech, which was scheduled for late in the evening.
"If we're going to sweat, we're going to sweat for Trump," Jenkins said. Members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front were also seen in D.C. for July Fourth celebrations. The group, described by extremism researchers as "image-obsessed" often tries to leverage media attention as a publicity and recruitment tactic. They have also been described as a white supremacist group and designated hate group by the Anti-Defamation League, the Southern Poverty Law Center and other watchdog groups.
− Videos posted online and reports from local media outlets show members of the group masked and wearing baseball hats bearing the group's symbols.
+ Elissa from Galveston participates in Sail4th 250 Parade of Ships on New York City's Hudson River on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
− They were also seen marching with Confederate flags and chanting "Reclaim America." People watch as the French Air Force acrobatic squad Patrouille de France perform a flyover during the International Aerial Review on Saturday in New York.
+ Evan Agostini/Invision/AP hide caption Videos posted online and reports from local media outlets show members of the group masked and wearing baseball hats bearing the group's symbols.
− Sydney Schaefer/AP hide caption Multiple events in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, were impacted by the extreme temperatures.
+ They were also seen marching with Confederate flags and chanting "Reclaim America." Multiple events in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, were impacted by the extreme temperatures.
A Friday Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade was canceled, while a Saturday fireworks show was postponed until midnight.
− Many communities in Colorado, including Durango and Vail, have canceled their fireworks displays due to the risk of wildfires.
+ Short Wave This July 4th, are you a thrill- or chill-seeker? Many communities in Colorado, including Durango and Vale, canceled their fireworks displays due to the risk of wildfires.
In Haddon Township, New Jersey, authorities canceled the Independence Day parade due to "oppressive heat and humidity" that was predicted. Parades in Leesburg and Fairfax, Virginia, and in Takoma Park and Laurel, Maryland, were also canceled because of the heat.
− Short Wave This July 4th, are you a thrill- or chill-seeker?
+ The Statue of Liberty is seen as sailors of a tall ship sail pass in the New York harbor during the International Parade of Sail, part of Sail250, a gathering of tall ships and military ships, Saturday, July 4, 2026, in New York.
− DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services told NPR that on Friday it had "45 patient contacts and 16 patient transports" from the Great American State Fair.
+ Pamela Smith/AP hide caption DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services told NPR that on Friday it had "45 patient contacts and 16 patient transports" from the Great American State Fair.
− It added: "This does not reflect the entirety of patient contact or care, as various healthcare providers are present on the National Mall and are treating patients in the medical tents." Throughline The story of July 4th is messier than you remember The heat wave extends well beyond the nation's capital.
+ It added: "This does not reflect the entirety of patient contact or care, as various healthcare providers are present on the National Mall and are treating patients in the medical tents." The heat wave extends well beyond the nation's capital.
Around 120 million Americans across swathes of the eastern and southern U.S. are facing some form of major or extreme heat risk on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
− The backdrop to all of this is an anniversary for which the Trump administration has spent months preparing. The administration organized Saturday's National Mall celebrations under the Freedom 250 banner, drawing criticism from Democrats. In a proclamation issued Friday, Presidechnt Trump marked the semiquincentennial by invoking the Founding Fathers, Washington's crossing of the Delaware and Valley Forge. He also outlined a series of future ambitions — returning Americans to the moon, reaching Mars, and leading in artificial intelligence.
Runners in patriotic-colored tutus participate in a run on Independence Day in Huntington Beach, Calif. on Saturday. Jae C.
− Hong/AP hide caption His remarks from Mount Rushmore on Friday night carried a darker tone.
+ Hong/AP hide caption The Trump administration had spent months preparing for the 250th anniversary celebrations.
− In his highly politicized speech kicking off America's 250th anniversary, Trump hailed American exceptionalism while calling communism "the greatest threat to our country," breaking from the typical apolitical Independence Day addresses given by past presidents.
+ The administration organized Saturday's National Mall celebrations under the Freedom 250 banner, drawing criticism from Democrats. In a proclamation issued Friday, President Trump marked the semiquincentennial by invoking the Founding Fathers, Washington's crossing of the Delaware and Valley Forge.
− Trump will give another speech on Saturday night at National Mall — which he promised would be "really long." A fireworks display, billed by the White House as the largest in the country's history, will follow, set to start around 10:30 p.m.
+ He also outlined a series of future ambitions — returning Americans to the moon, reaching Mars, and leading in artificial intelligence. His remarks from Mount Rushmore on Friday night carried a darker tone.
− ET.
+ In his highly politicized speech kicking off America's 250th anniversary, Trump hailed American exceptionalism while calling communism "the greatest threat to our country," breaking from the typical apolitical Independence Day addresses given by past presidents.
− However, the NWS also warned of the possibility of "severe thunderstorms" into the afternoon and evening in D.C., that could produce "destructive wind gusts up to 70 to 80 mph." The name of the Colorado community of Vail was misspelled in a previous version of this story.
+ Additional reporting by Kate Bartlett The name of the Colorado community of Vail was misspelled in a previous version of this story.
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