MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US marks its 250th anniversary as a record heat wave disrupts July 4 events

A heat dome over the East Coast pushed temperatures to highs near 40 °C, with heat-index values of up to 46 °C and more than 185 million people under weather alerts

The United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence on Saturday amid a historic heat wave that has forced the suspension or rescheduling of events in several cities across the country. The semiquincentennial commemoration, recalling the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776, will have its centerpiece on the National Mall in Washington, with a speech by President Donald Trump and the largest fireworks display in history.

A heat dome over the East Coast pushed temperatures to highs near 40 °C, with heat-index values of up to 46 °C and more than 185 million people under weather alerts. The heat forced cancellations: Philadelphia —the birthplace of independence— suspended its parade, and in Washington the National Park Service parade was canceled and the Great American State Fair, one of the anniversary's attractions, was temporarily closed when the thermometer reached 38 °C. Organizers of the main event set up hydration and misting stations and allowed attendees to bring empty water bottles.

The main celebration, called “Salute to America,” is organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership created by the Trump administration, distinct from America250, the bipartisan commission established by Congress. The program includes musical performances, military flyovers and a pyrotechnic show that aims to break a Guinness World Record, with nearly 850,000 shells launched from ten sites. Trump, who anticipated a “really long speech,” played down the heat: “I'm going to make a really long speech just to show that I can do anything,” he said this week.

The president's prominence in the commemoration has drawn controversy. Trump promoted the event as “the most spectacular Trump rally,” and Democratic leaders accused him of turning a national anniversary into a partisan celebration centered on himself. A White House spokesperson, Davis Ingle, replied that the president's priority is “the safety and security of anyone who participates or attends” the events. On Friday, in a speech at Mount Rushmore, Trump warned of an alleged “communist threat” and looked ahead to November's midterm elections.

The anniversary comes amid a subdued national mood, according to recent polls. A Gallup survey found that eight in ten Americans believe the Founding Fathers would not be proud of the country's direction, while another showed that 59% think the nation's best years are behind it. Analysts attribute the division to both sides of the political spectrum. The soccer World Cup being held in the country has helped lift spirits and national pride somewhat. Beyond Washington, celebrations will spread across the country, with particular intensity in Boston and New York, where the Hudson River will host a display of tall ships.