Americans Mark 250th Anniversary of Declaration with Parades, Fireworks, and Heat-Related Cancellations

Americans observed the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday with parades, fireworks and sporting events across multiple cities. Military jets flew over crowds and marching bands moved along parade routes in several cities. Fireworks began before sunset in multiple locations.

The event followed evacuations from the National Mall in Washington, DC, due to storms and record-breaking heat. Washington and Philadelphia were forecast to reach around 100 degrees, leading some events to be canceled. Boston, Philadelphia and New York streets were still crowded with celebrants.

President Trump delivered a speech Friday at Mount Rushmore in which he described communism as the greatest threat to the country and called for stricter voter ID laws. Democratic leaders responded with statements criticizing the remarks as divisive. A former president issued a written statement accusing officials of using masked agents and starting an unconstitutional war.

In California, the governor released a statement accusing the president of not caring about the country and announced plans for legislation making it a felony to seize ballots before certification. In Santa Monica, parade-goers lined Main Street wearing red, white and blue clothing and waving small American flags.

One attendee said she attended to show her Americanism amid global political turmoil.

Pacific Palisades held its first Independence Day events since last year's fire, including 5K and 10K runs followed by a parade. A participant whose home burned in the fire said it was good to see familiar faces again. Huntington Beach staged its annual parade, now in its 122nd year.

At the Los Angeles National Cemetery, a small number of families visited graves. One woman sat beside the grave of her son, a Marine killed in Iraq in 2004, and recalled his promise to care for her.