President Donald Trump has mixed partisan politics with patriotic appeals as he commemorated the 250th anniversary of American independence, a moment he declared “one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time.” Trump spoke late Saturday in Washington after storms prompted a roughly two-hour evacuation of the National Mall. Severe weather prompted the cancellation of celebrations in Hartford, Connecticut, along with Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Spectators at Boston’s fireworks and concert were told to briefly seek shelter before events later resumed. An evacuation was also ordered in Philadelphia. New York and Pittsburgh moved forward with fireworks but shifted the time to accommodate the shifting weather.
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People watch fireworks explode over the New York City skyline as seen from the Brooklyn Borough of New York during the 4th of July celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Anna Connors)
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Crowds gathered in the sweltering heat Saturday to celebrate the United States' 250th birthday by watching famed competitive eater Joey “Jaws”…
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Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, winners of the 2026 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, hold their title belts at Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Anna Connors)
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Joey Chestnut wins the 2026 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Anna Connors)
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Joey Chestnut and other competitive eaters consume hot dogs during the 2026 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Anna Connors)
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MC George Shea presents competitive eater Miki Sudo with the champion belt after winning the women's 2026 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Anna Connors)
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Miki Sudo consume hot dogs during the 2026 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Anna Connors)
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Miki Sudo, left, and Joey Chestnut participate in the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest weigh-in ceremony at Hudson Yards on Friday, July 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
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Joey Chestnut stands on a scale at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest weigh-in ceremony at Hudson Yards on Friday, July 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)