Americans are celebrating the 250th birthday of the US as the nation remains politically polarized – Image: Uwe Kraft/IMAGO
The US is celebrating 250 years of independence with a massive fireworks display and military flyovers in the capital. Leaders from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India’s PM Narendra Modi sent their well-wishes. But a dangerous heat wave has disrupted July Fourth events across the United States
What you need to know
- World leaders from Germany to India congratulate US on its 250th birthday
- British King Charles says US-UK to continue to defend ‘shared values’
- Putin hails ‘glorious’ chapters in US-Russia ties, while Zelenskyy likens Ukraine’s struggle to US fight for independence
- Pope Leo urges US to welcome immigrants in July 4 appeal
- Trump extols America, slams communism on eve of the 250th Independence Day
US vice president slams critics on America’s 250th birthday
US Vice President JD Vance has lambasted people who criticize the United States’ “imperfections” in a lengthy speech he delivered to mark the 250th Independence Day.
“You will hear a couple small but loud voices today speak obsessively not of our national greatness, but of our national imperfections,” Vance said, speaking aboard an amphibious assault ship — the USS Kearsarge — in New York Harbor.
“They will talk about America’s sins with the anger and zeal of a brimstone preacher, but without any of the grace or forgiveness that must be present in the Christian faith,” the vice president added, stressing that these critics “misunderstand the essence of America.”
Former living US presidents laud democratic values on Independence Day
All four former living presidents of the United States have issued statements commemorating 250 years of US independence.
Former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat who was in office from 1993 to 2001, said this anniversary milestone comes at a time of “renewed questions about America’s future and role in the world, and serious threats to our own institutions and to our democracy itself.”
While critical of “the people in charge,” he said in a statement that “there is still nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what’s right with America.”
His successor George W. Bush, a Republican, said, “July 4 is a chance to celebrate our independence and our freedoms.”
“I view the freedoms we cherish, the freedom to worship the way you want to worship, the freedom for the press to hold the powerful to account, the freedom to vote, the freedom to realize dreams, as values that can unite us as we head for the next 250 years,” he said in a video message on X.
Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black president, underlined that the United States is “a constant work in progress.”
“Every generation must take up the unfinished work of the last and carry it further — protecting what’s right, fixing what’s wrong, and making our union a little more perfect,” he said, adding: “250 years later, that’s more important than ever.”
Meanwhile, Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States who served from January 2021 to early 2025, said in a statement that “there’s nothing guaranteed about our democracy.”
“We have to fight for it, defend it, and earn it. Over and over, year after year. That’s not a burden. That’s what it means to be an American.”
British King Charles says US-UK to continue to defend ‘shared values’
Britain’s King Charles III congratulated President Donald Trump and the American people on the 250th anniversary of US independence.
He also praised the close ties between the US and the UK despite their turbulent beginnings.
“This year marks a truly historic milestone and a moment of great celebration for Americans everywhere,” the monarch wrote in his message.
“It offers an opportunity to pause and reflect on the remarkable journey of the United States over the past two and a half centuries, and to honor all that has been achieved since 1776.”
“As we look ahead to the next 250 years, I have no doubt we will continue to defend our shared values,” including liberty and the rule of law, he added.
Putin hails ‘glorious’ chapters in US-Russia ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the United States on the 250th anniversary of its independence.
He also praised what he described as centuries of cooperation between the two countries, saying that there have been “many glorious” chapters in the 250-year history of relations between the two sides.
“We were allies in two world wars, together we freed humanity from the horrors of Nazism, and then played a vital role in laying the foundations of the modern world order,” Putin said in a message published by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“And today, Russia and the United States — as the two largest nuclear powers — bear a special responsibility for ensuring security and stability on a global scale.”
Trump was speaking at Mount Rushmore with its giant carved heads of four of his predecessors – Image: Alex Brandon/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance
Trump extols US exceptionalism, slams communism on eve of Independence Day
President Trump marked the 250th anniversary of American independence with a speech at Mount Rushmore, during which he warned “communism is a mortal threat to American liberty.”
“We’re not going to let this happen.”
He called it a greater danger than World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor or 9/11.
“There is now a resurgence of the communist menace in our land, including from newcomers to our country who embrace ideas totally opposed to our way of life and our great success,” he said.
He has repeatedly used this line of attack over the past week, after four progressive candidates, including three democratic socialists, won competitive Democratic primaries in New York City last week and in Colorado on Tuesday. Progressive candidates have also won contests in Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Trump’s speech stood out for its setting, a national park honoring some of the United States’ most prominent presidents, and for breaking from the traditionally unifying tone of past Independence Day addresses by Republican presidents such as Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan.
He also lauded US exceptionalism and praised the country’s past leaders.
On Saturday, Trump was scheduled to deliver another speech at the National Mall ahead of a massive fireworks show to celebrate the Independence Day.
The president said he’s “going to make a really long speech — just to show that I can do anything.”
Zelenskyy likens Ukraine war to US fight for independence
Congratulating the US on its 250th Independence Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy drew parallels between the US’ struggle for independence and Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia’s invasion.
Just as Americans fought for their independence, Ukraine is now fighting for its sovereignty and freedom, Zelenskyy said.
Noting that the US had helped free the world from “tyrants” in the last century, he underlined: “Now, in the 21st century, America’s influence and importance are certainly no less.”
“And we see that particularly clearly in Ukraine, which is fighting for its independence, freedom, and our people’s right to happiness with much the same hope, the same purpose, and the same determination with which Americans won and defended their own independence.”
Pope Leo urges US to welcome immigrants
As Americans celebrate 250 years of independence, Pope Leo urged them to welcome and protect immigrants.
“To receive (immigrants) with compassion and generosity is not only an act of charity, but also a recognition of the dignity that belongs to every human person,” he said in a letter sent to the United States.
The pope’s appeal came as he visited the Italian Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, which is a gateway for migrants risking dangerous Mediterranean crossings to reach Europe from Africa.
Leo is the Catholic Church’s first US pope.
He has sharply criticized the Trump administration’s policies aimed at curtailing migration into the US.
The pope called the US administration’s treatment of immigrants “inhuman.”
His stance drew the ire of President Donald Trump.
250 years of German-US relations – Image: DW
Modi congratulates US and Trump on 250th Independence Day
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated President Donald Trump and the people of the United States for the 250th Independence Day.
He said India and the US “share more than a strategic partnership,” pointing to “shared belief in democracy, rule of law” and close people-to-people ties.
“May the next 250 years bring even greater prosperity, peace and progress for America and take the India-US partnership to new heights,” Modi said in a post on X.
German chancellor says trans-Atlantic partnership ‘indispensable’
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has congratulated the US on its 250th birthday, saying the country was “founded on freedom, democracy, and responsibility” 250 years ago.
He said both Germany and the US have since been “bound by a close friendship.”
“Especially in challenging times, our trans-Atlantic partnership remains indispensable,” Merz wrote in a message posted on X.
Heat wave upends July Fourth celebrations across US
A dangerous heat wave has disrupted July Fourth events across the United States, including Donald Trump’s flagship Great American State Fair, as the nation prepares to mark its 250th birthday.
Over 185 million people, more than half the US population, were under heat alerts – Image: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP
A dangerous heat wave disrupted July Fourth celebrations on Friday as searing temperatures scorched the eastern United States.
Across the country, “numerous daily temperature records are expected today and Independence Day, with some consecutive-day, monthly, and all-time records possible,” the National Weather Service said.
Peak heat indices could reach 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius) in parts of the country.
The heat comes as the US gears up to celebrate on Saturday the 250th anniversary of its independence from Great Britain.
Heat disrupts America’s 250th birthday celebrations
Dozens of parades, concerts and fireworks displays have been cancelled or postponed due to sizzling temperatures.
The Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC — President Donald Trump’s flagship event to mark the 250th birthday — was temporarily closed on Friday afternoon as temperatures reached 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
Event cancellations have been reported in at least seven states.
In Philadelphia, the Salute to Independence parade was called off after temperatures reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday, tying a record high that has stood since 1901.
Authorities warned the heat wave could become deadly, urging those celebrating the Fourth of July weekend outdoors to seek shade, drink water and be alert for signs of heat-related illness.
DW.com/NAN 05-07-26
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