WASHINGTON — Americans marked the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday with parades, concerts, fireworks and community events nationwide, culminating in a National Mall celebration led by President Donald Trump. Thunderstorms and extreme heat forced a temporary evacuation of large sections of the Mall before attendees returned for the delayed program, which concluded with a large fireworks display over the nation's capital. Federal and local officials had implemented heightened security measures for the event because of its scale and the symbolic importance of the anniversary.

Trump's address combined recognition of the country's founding, military service and historical achievements with political themes that have been central to his administration and recent campaigns. The celebration was organized as the centerpiece of the federal government's semiquincentennial observance, although critics argued that the event had taken on a more partisan tone than originally envisioned. Public opinion surveys conducted ahead of the anniversary found many Americans viewed the national milestone as an opportunity to celebrate the country's history while others expressed concern that political divisions had overshadowed what had been intended as a broadly unifying commemoration.