Heat, thunderstorms hit US 250th anniversary celebration, evacuations ordered

2026-07-05

Heat and thunderstorms force evacuation orders

In Washington, D.C., as the United States marked its 250th anniversary on July 4, the commemorative ceremony was badly disrupted by intense heat and thunderstorms. President Donald Trump's keynote address dragged on until just before midnight.

According to Trump, about 375,000 people gathered in Washington. Around the National Mall park area, long lines formed from early afternoon, and people were falling ill from heatstroke as temperatures neared 40 degrees Celsius.

By the time participants entered the venue, concerns about severe thunderstorms had intensified, and organizers instructed evacuations to nearby buildings. There were also expectations that the event would be canceled, but Trump posted on social media, 'Rain won't stop our 250th anniversary', and pushed ahead with it. Because of the crowds, many participants were still unable to enter the venue by the end.

Military flyover and massive fireworks

Helping sustain the celebratory mood was a US military aircraft flyover that continued from midday. They roared over central Washington, including the B-2 stealth bomber that carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025.

Fireworks also began when Trump's speech ended, and if planned, the total would reach about 850,000. Washington's Independence Day fireworks are customary, but this year they may have swollen to 40 to 50 times the usual number.

Ceremony marked by partisan tone

Independence Day is often used by presidents as an opportunity for national unity, but this time it became a strongly partisan event.

In his speech, Trump urged support for election-related bills that Democrats strongly oppose, and criticized the party's left wing, calling it 'communist' among other things.

At the venue, red MAGA hats, a symbol of support for 'Make America Great Again', stood out. Meanwhile, in central Washington, several hundred people held a demonstration to protest Trump's hardline measures against illegal immigration.

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