July 4th live updates as celebrations across the USA mark America's 250th birthday

When the sun goes down Saturday, the skies of Washington, D.C., are expected to fill with a record-setting 850,000 individual fireworks for a 40-minute spectacle like no one has seen before.

A company called Pyrotecnico will attempt the biggest fireworks show in history, using five generations of family know-how and a background in Super Bowls and large musical acts to help America celebrate its 250th birthday with a bang.

"I mean, it is the biggest show that we've done," Rocco Vitale, president of Pyrotecnico, told CBS News. "...My earliest memories of fireworks displays and doing the Fourth of July was here."

Read more here.

A July Fourth fireworks show for the Angel City FC on Friday malfunctioned, causing some of the projectiles to launch toward the crowd.

Videos posted to social media show most of the fireworks at BMO Stadium went towards the sky but some sparks shot horizontally into the pitch and towards the stands. In one video provided to CBS News, fans can be seen scurrying away from the fireworks.

No serious injuries were reported, a spokesperson for Angel City FC said, confirming the fireworks following the team's match against Orlando Pride had malfunctioned. 

The team is working with the pyrotechnics company to evaluate what happened, the spokesperson said.

CBS Los Angeles' Maya Castro contributed to this report.

First lady Melania Trump will attend Saturday night's "Salute to America 250 Celebration & Fireworks" on the National Mall, a White House official confirmed to CBS News. 

President Trump is expected to deliver remarks at the event at about 9:45 p.m. Eastern Time.

A man climbed the Eiffel Tower on Saturday and draped the U.S. flag on Paris's emblematic landmark on the 250th anniversary of American independence, Paris police said.

The man was spotted in the afternoon climbing the tower between the second and third floors and hanging the Stars and Stripes.

He was arrested and the forecourt, as well as the second and third floors, were evacuated for a while.

The climber gave no explanation for his motives, police said.

The flag was taken down.

Seven million tourists pay to see the 1,063-foot tower each year. Unveiled in 1889 for the World Fair in Paris by engineer Gustave Eiffel, the "Iron Lady" has since become the French capital's symbol.

The four living former presidents — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden — each shared individual messages remembering the sacrifices and successes of the United States of America on its 250th anniversary.

The most recent former president, Biden, remembered the sacrifices of the American people from "Valley Forge, at Gettysburg, on the beaches of Normandy, in the streets of Selma." 

"We're the only nation in history built not on ethnicity, or blood, or geography but on an idea," Biden wrote in a statement. "That's always been what makes us exceptional. We chose that path 250 years ago but that's where the work began, not where it ended. Every generation has had to choose it again."

Obama, the last president to serve eight years in office, wrote of the anniversary: "America 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. 250 years later, that's more important than ever."

Bush, who served from 2001 to 2008, recorded a video for the anniversary, reacting to several questions.

"I view the freedoms that 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," Bush said.

Clinton, who shared the longest message of any former president, was the only one to take not-so-veiled shots at the current administration. He criticized "unleashing masked agents" who "seize people from their homes" and starting an "unconstitutional war on a whim." He also slammed the Supreme Court and "a compliant Congress" and accused the administration of rewriting "history to ignore and outright deny our past flaws while banning books that say otherwise."

"Our Founders were wise when they gave us our mission to form a more perfect union," Clinton wrote in the statement. "They knew America would never be perfect but could always be better. That's what they meant by 'more perfect.' We've done that by being courageous enough to acknowledge our flaws and missteps—and then bold enough to leave them behind for brighter tomorrows."

President Trump, technically both a former and current president, will deliver a speech tonight in Washington, D.C.

In August 1780, British and American soldiers clashed at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina. The fight ended in a terrible defeat for the Continental Army, with the American side recording about 2,000 casualties. 

The site has been the subject of study for decades. Years ago, two battlefield archaeologists discovered several sets of unknown remains, buried in shallow graves in the sandy soil. 

Through advanced DNA technology, one set of remains has been identified as belonging to a Maryland soldier who enlisted at a young age. Genetic genealogist Allison Peacock said making the discovery put "goosebumps on her arms." 

Read more here.

Annapolis, Maryland, home of the U.S. Naval Academy, is the latest city to have its July Fourth celebrations altered by the weather.

The city announced its parade as well as a performance by the Naval Academy Electric Brigade band have been canceled due to expected thunderstorms in addition to the extreme heat. The city had a temperature of 95 degrees with a scorching heat index of 108 degrees at 2:30 p.m. A heat warning was in effect. A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect starting at 4 p.m. and going through the night.

However, the city said its 9:15 p.m. firework display is still scheduled to go off as expected for now.

A time capsule with items from all 50 U.S. states and five territories has been buried in Philadelphia as part of celebrations honoring America's 250th anniversary. 

The hope is that the capsule will stay sealed until the nation's 500th anniversary, on July 4, 2276. Items inside include a Philadelphia Phillies lineup card, a bone from an endangered North Atlantic right whale, a stainless steel plaque from New Jersey and handwritten notes from 12 Delaware residents. 

It was buried on Independence Mall, and an art installation based on Ben Franklin's "Join or Die" cartoon will be placed atop it. 

Read more here.

Fireworks shows and activities are scheduled for cities and communities across the Bay Area on Fourth of July weekend. 

Unlike the East Coast, it will be perfect weather in the Bay Area. A gradual warming trend in the region should bring pleasant conditions for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, although "the usual coastal stratus" will be present, the National Weather Service says, meaning low clouds and fog could obscure some fireworks shows.

Read the full list here.

The Treasury Department announced the official launch of Trump Accounts on Saturday, one year after the tax-deferred investment accounts were created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

"Trump Accounts are now live, giving every child a stake in the American Dream from day one thanks to President Trump," said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a news release. 

Read more about the accounts here. 

Vice President JD Vance spoke about the history of the United States at the parade of tall ships in New York City on Saturday, urging Americans to "reject the two-dimensional view of your country" and criticizing those who "obsessively" focus on "national imperfections." 

Vance spoke at length about the founding of the nation, the leadership of George Washington, and the work of civil engineer James Eads Buchanan. Buchanan designed and built Eads Bridge across the Mississippi River, a historic landmark that still stands today. Vance called it "an impressive feat for a man who had never built a bridge before" and an example of American ingenuity. 

"The people who told him, 'You can't build the most difficult bridge because you've never built a bridge before,' he said, 'Yes, I can, because I'm an American, and I'm going to do it myself,'" Vance said. It was the first on the planet, that bridge, to be made of steel, and residents of St. Louis still use that bridge to this very day, nearly 200 years later." 

Vance said stories like Washington's, Buchanan's and others show a "common character" that bind Americans together throughout history. He said that "loud voices" who only criticize the U.S. "misunderstand the essence of America," and called on the crowd to "reject the two-dimensional view." 

"Reject that America is a place for zero-sum thinking, because it is not," Vance said. "Our history is one of people carving a great civilization out of the wilderness. Reject the view of your nation that sees only its sins, but not its grace and its greatness." 

Vance ended his remarks by looking to the future. 

"All of us have a part, all of us had our part, our role to play in creating 250 years of a proud American story, and all of us will need to do our part to create the next 250 years of American greatness," Vance said. "So I say to all my fellow Americans: I'm proud of you. Happy birthday, and happy birthday to our great nation. Today, my friends, we celebrate, and tomorrow we get back to work."

Joey Chestnut has won the men's round of the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City after eating 67 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. 

This is Chestnut's 18th victory. He holds the all-time record of 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. He returned to the competition last year after being suspended from competing in 2024 because of his partnership with Impossible Foods. 

Fourteen men competed for the coveted Mustard Belt and $10,000 cash prize on Saturday afternoon. In second place was Pat Bertoletti, who ate 50 dogs. 

Earlier in the day, Miki Sudo took home the women's prize after eating 38 ¾ hot dogs. 

Read more here. 

Yes, they were flawed; many of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence – indeed the man who wrote it – were themselves slaveholders. Yes, also: what they did in the summer of 1776 changed the world.

"Lots of times people just want to say, 'Nah, we'll just write off the Declaration of Independence because of Thomas Jefferson's hypocrisy,'" said Harvard professor Danielle Allen, one of the world's foremost experts on the Declaration of Independence. "We can't write it off. We shouldn't write it off. It is our inheritance."

Asked the best way to honor America's 250th birthday, Allen replied, "Take the time to read the Declaration of Independence out loud. It's only 1,337 words, yet it's one of the most important philosophical statements about what a good government is, what the people deserve, what we are as human beings."

Read more here.

The Kennedy Center is offering ticket packages for as high as $25,000 for up to three dozen guests to watch the Washington, D.C., national fireworks show on July Fourth.  

The highest-cost ticket package, listed as the "presidential" package, costs $25,000 for up to 36 guests, which includes three reserved tables on the roof terrace, food and cocktails, free parking and "climate-controlled indoor lounge access throughout the evening," according to the Kennedy Center website. 

Other levels of access are available, with prices starting at $450 for an individual pass. A portion of the cost is tax-deductible.

Read more here.

Miki Sudo has won the women's round of the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City after wolfing down 38 3/4 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. 

This marks the 12th championship win for Sudo, who also took home the prize last year after eating 33 hot dogs and buns. Sudo did not beat her record of 51 hot dogs.

Ten women competed for the pink belt and $10,000 cash prize on Saturday morning. In second place was Michelle Lesco, who took home the title in 2021. Lesco fell far behind Sudo, eating just 22 hot dogs and buns during the competition. 

The men's event will be held at 12:30 p.m. EDT. Reigning champion Joey Chestnut is set to compete. 

Read more here. 

There's a packed calendar of July Fourth events in Philadelphia — the city where the Declaration of Independence was adopted 250 years ago to the day. 

Highlights include the One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The show starts at 5 p.m., followed by fireworks beginning at midnight. 

Headliners include Christina Aguilera, Jill Scott and The Roots, who are set to bring Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Meek Mill and other artists on stage. Wanda Sykes is hosting.

The city also has a World Cup match at 5 p.m. 

Many communities in the Philadelphia area, Jersey Shore and Delaware have holiday events and fireworks planned — see a list here.

Philadelphia's Salute to Independence Parade on Friday was canceled due to extreme heat.

King Charles III shared a message to President Trump and the American public on Saturday, celebrating the two nations' "shared values" as the U.S. celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence. 

"The story of the relationship between our two nations is one of extraordinary evolution, from overcoming conflict to forging one of the closest and most productive alliances the world has seen," the monarch wrote, adding that the ties between the U.K. and the U.S. are "unique and far-reaching." 

"Together, we face the challenges of today, and the opportunities of tomorrow. As I said in my address to the joint Houses of Congress, our shared roots run deep, and they are still vital," Charles wrote. Charles visited the United States in April. 

The monarch said that as the two countries "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.

"The connection between our peoples is one that I trust will only grow stronger with time," Charles wrote.

The decision by many performers to back out of a concert series for the holiday weekend almost as soon as the lineup was announced in May revealed confusion surrounding plans for America's big birthday bash in the nation's capital. 

There are two different organizations planning various celebrations for America's 250th anniversary. One — Freedom 250 — is a White House-connected, public-private partnership that's hosting a "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall, along with the concert series and a UFC match at the White House. 

The other — America250 — was established by Congress a decade ago to plan nonpartisan celebrations nationwide.

Read more here.

South Florida communities are preparing for one of the largest Independence Day celebrations in recent memory as cities across Miami-Dade and Broward counties mark the nation's 250th birthday with fireworks, parades, concerts, drone shows and family festivals.

From beachfront fireworks and patriotic parades to major concerts featuring national recording artists, South Florida residents will have dozens of options to celebrate throughout the holiday weekend.

Read more here

A number of communities in Colorado have canceled plans for July Fourth fireworks displays due to high-risk conditions for wildfires. Colorado Springs, Douglas County, Arvada, Durango and Vail are among those calling off fireworks as dry conditions and high winds raise concerns. 

Several wildfires continue burning in southern Colorado. The Aspen Acres Fire has destroyed dozens of homes and forced new evacuations Friday in Colorado City.

New York City is celebrating this July Fourth with a fireworks display like no other. For the first time, Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks will place on both the lower East River near the Seaport and the lower Hudson River, in collaboration with Jersey City.

The fireworks show has alternated between the two sides for years. This is the first time both viewing locations will be accommodated. 

Other events in the city to mark America's 250th birthday include the largest parade of tall ships ever assembled.

"You will see a New York like you've never seen before," Gov. Kathy Hochul said. "We also have to remember that for 250 years, America has stood as that beacon of hope to the rest of the world, and here in New York City, it has always burned brightest."

Saturday's celebrations include an international flyover saluting the Statue of Liberty. The procession of ships down below is expected to include 20,000 sailors overall.

America's Block Party celebrates the nation's 250th birthday with a benefit concert in Los Angeles, hosted by Queen Latifah, along with events in communities around the country. 

The concert at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum features performances by Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris, The Smashing Pumpkins and more, followed by a drone show and fireworks.

The event is promoting "Giving 4th," an initiative that aims to make Independence Day the largest single day of charitable giving in U.S. history.

Download the official America's Block Party app to find a block party near you, access the livestream, and participate in Giving 4th.

July Fourth fireworks and celebrations hold extra meaning in 2026 as the United States celebrates the 250th birthday of the nation. Here's where to see Independence Day fireworks in Chicago, surrounding suburbs and in northwest Indiana. 

Many cities and towns across Massachusetts are celebrating America 250 with fireworks displays.

The largest celebration in the state will be the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Charles River Esplanade the night of July Fourth. Chance The Rapper, Lainey Wilson, and Trombone Shorty will join the Pops for this year's concert.

Many other communities in Massachusetts held their own fireworks in the nights leading up to the holiday, and more are planned for the Fourth and the coming days and weeks.

See the complete list here.

The celebration of America's 250th birthday in New York City's Times Square is taking a page out of the New Year's Eve playbook, with ball drops — eight of them — to mark the arrival of Independence Day in every American time zone.

The first, at 10 a.m. on Friday, marked midnight in the U.S. territories of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The ball drop at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time was then followed by time zones across the nation, with the finale at 7 a.m. marking midnight in American Samoa.  

"This is more than a countdown. It's a moment that brings the entire country together, one time zone at a time," said Rosie Rios, chair of America250, the group organizing the event, which aims to support Giving 4th, a day of charitable giving.

There's heightened security around Washington, D.C., for the America 250 celebrations, which include a fireworks display that is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people.

The main events on the Fourth of July are deemed a "national special security event," which is the highest possible designation. It's a rare status that is usually reserved for inaugurations and Super Bowls that puts the Secret Service in charge.

"I will tell you that you've had hundreds, if not thousands, of law enforcement professionals planning this event for several months," said Tara McLeese, the special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service's Washington field office.

President Trump said he will speak during the festivities on Saturday around 9 p.m. before the fireworks show at 10:30 p.m. Officials say there are no specific, credible threats this weekend.

The U.S. Marshals Service has sworn in hundreds of officers from 44 local law enforcement agencies nationwide to protect the capital.

"When I say that we are ready, I am staking my reputation on it," said Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta. "Our nation is ready to celebrate the birth of freedom in this country."

Read more here.

An extreme heat warning is in effect for Washington, D.C., as much of the eastern half of the country continues to bake under a heat dome. A forecast high of 102 would top the city's highest recorded temperature for the date, 100 degrees, set in 1919. 

Organizers announced they were canceling D.C.'s America's Independence Day Parade, which had been set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, due to the heat.

"This decision was made after extensive and careful consideration of the safety of our participants, spectators, and staff as the top priority," they said in a statement, noting that the heat index was expected to climb to between 110 and 115 degrees.

The Great American State Fair, taking place on the National Mall, shut down in the early afternoon Friday but reopened for the evening. It is scheduled to open at noon Saturday, with free water distribution, cooling tents and air-conditioned cooling buses available for visitors, organizers said.

Some fireworks displays in surrounding suburbs were canceled or postponed because of the heat.

CBS is celebrating this July Fourth with "The Great American Block Party 250," a primetime special hosted by "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil and "Entertainment Tonight" co-host Nischelle Turner.

Hosted live from the Washington Monument in D.C., the show features a star-studded roster performances by artists including the Zac Brown Band, Jon Batiste, Goo Goo Dolls, The War and Treaty, Queen Latifah, The Roots, Jill Scott and more. 

Share in celebratory moments from cities nationwide before the show wraps up with a fireworks display that organizers billed as the largest in history over the nation's capital.

Tune in at 8 p.m. ET on CBS stations and stream it on Paramount+ and CBS News 24/7. 

July Fourth celebrations in Washington, D.C., will include hours of military flyovers and an enormous fireworks show commemorating the nation's 250th birthday. 

D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Interim Chief Jeff Carroll said earlier this week that the festivities would feature "the largest display of fireworks our city has ever seen." The display is set to start around 10:30 or 11 p.m. ET, according to Freedom 250, the show's organizer, and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. It's also expected to run longer than it has in previous years.

President Trump plans to speak in the 9 p.m. hour, ahead of the fireworks.

By Maria Sullivan, Gabriella Biello

Much of the central and northeastern U.S. is under heat advisories through Saturday night, including some areas with extreme heat warnings.

Zoom in on any location on the map below, or search for your city or town by name, to see the forecast high temperatures, how hot it will feel, and the overnight lows.

Air traffic will be shut down in Washington, D.C., in the afternoon and evening as Fourth of July festivities ramp up across the nation's capital. 

The Federal Aviation Administration said it would implement "traffic management initiatives" at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport before, during and after certain celebratory events, including flyovers and fireworks displays. 

Flight operations at the airport will be temporarily paused from noon until 11:59 p.m. ET. 

The FAA said the changes have been planned for months "to help ensure the safe and efficient movement of air traffic during celebrations of America's 250th birthday."

The combination of heat and high humidity across the eastern half of the U.S. could be dangerous for crowds spending extended time outdoors because the human body can't cool off as effectively when sweat stays on the skin.

Warning signs to look for to prevent heat-related health emergencies include fatigue, light-headedness, muscle cramps and upset stomach. If anyone exposed to the sun is experiencing such symptoms, doctors say they could be suffering from heat exhaustion.

"For heat stroke, the differential factor is that altered mental status, that confusion," Dr. Catrina Cropano, the medical director of the emergency department at New York City's Mount Sinai West, told CBS News' Tom Hanson. "If you are experiencing any symptoms of heat stroke, you really need to make sure you come into the emergency department as quickly as possible."

There are a few steps you can take to help reduce your risk, Dr. Danielle Warren, an emergency medicine specialist at Carroll Hospital Center in Maryland, told CBS News Baltimore.

"Decrease your exposure to the heat. Make sure you are drinking fluids. And then you want to make sure that you are eating a little bit every few hours," Warren suggested. "If you are drinking alcohol that's going to make you more sensitive."

Two hundred fifty years on, Americans generally see their nation as a success story — even if it's one that they feel still has work to do. 

A big majority say the nation has succeeded in achieving its founding ideals, at least a fair amount, if not a great deal, a CBS News poll found.

We, the people, think of ourselves — America's people — as the best thing about the country. Most of us like having a nation of many different ideas and cultures, and we share common views on what constitutes "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."  

And for a country that produced the light bulb and the internet, today it is still the ideas laid out in the founding that many offer up as America's best invention of all.

Yet, Americans also see a nation facing challenges today. 

Almost half the country marks this milestone feeling that America's best days are in its past, and the American Dream is seen under pressure, often unattainable. And just as economic opportunities are entwined with our political history, they're seen today just as defining as democracy itself. But those who think opportunity is only for a few feel democracy, too, is under threat. 

Read more here.