The United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its independence on Saturday, with nationwide commemorations taking place against the backdrop of political division and an intense heatwave affecting large parts of the country.
Millions of Americans are expected to take part in parades, community events and fireworks displays marking the historic milestone.
However, unusually high temperatures have disrupted celebrations in several areas, with around 160 million people placed under major or extreme heat warnings.
Despite the challenging conditions, President Donald Trump is pressing ahead with a series of high-profile events in Washington, where he is expected to address supporters at a large gathering on the National Mall.
The programme also includes military flyovers and a major fireworks display.
Speaking ahead of the event, Trump joked about delivering a lengthy speech despite temperatures expected to reach around 41C, saying it would demonstrate his endurance.
The president began the holiday celebrations on Friday with a speech at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where he praised the country’s history and achievements while arguing that America’s identity faces fresh challenges.
During his address, Trump criticised what he described as radical and extremist political forces and warned of what he called a renewed communist threat within the United States.
The remarks reflected a message he has repeatedly emphasised in recent weeks following a series of primary election successes by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Trump also claimed there had been efforts in recent years to distance Americans from their history and national identity.
While his speech focused on patriotism and national pride, he said that anyone choosing to live in the United States should value the country’s achievements regardless of where they were born.
Mount Rushmore provided a symbolic setting for the president’s remarks, with the monument featuring the carved faces of former presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.
Some of Trump’s supporters have previously proposed adding his likeness to the monument, although there are no official plans to do so.
The anniversary comes at a time when surveys suggest Americans remain deeply divided over the country’s direction. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that 61 per cent of respondents believed the United States was not fully living up to the ideals set out in the Declaration of Independence. The findings also revealed a clear political split, with most Republicans expressing confidence in the country’s progress, while most Democrats took the opposite view.
Public opinion reflects a similarly mixed picture.
Los Angeles artist Johnny Presley said he was concerned about increasing social divisions and the way the country treats both its own people and other nations, arguing that greater unity was needed.
Others remain optimistic about the opportunities available in the United States. Karisa Tavassoli, an educator from Atlanta, said she valued the country’s freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion and personal choice, while acknowledging that challenges remain.
Meanwhile, Alonzo Coby, a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, welcomed the opportunity to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary but said it was also important to recognise that Native American communities had lived on the continent for thousands of years before the founding of the United States.
As Americans mark a quarter of a millennium since independence, the anniversary has become both a celebration of the nation’s history and a reminder of the debates shaping its future.
