📸 Celebrating the 250th anniversary of America’s independence in the shadow of unprecedented heat and political rifts The United States on Saturday, July 4 (Tir 13), marked its 251st independence anniversary with a large ceremony in Washington and other cities across the country—an event the White House described as one of the most important turning points in American history. Fireworks, air shows, and speeches by Donald Trump, the U.S. president, were among the main programs of the ceremony. The U.S. government hopes that holding these celebrations will help strengthen a sense of national identity and bring renewed attention to the history of this country. An unprecedented heat wave also cast a shadow over this year’s events and caused attendance for some programs to be lower than predicted. Overall, the celebrations for America’s 251st independence anniversary, in addition to their symbolic and historical aspects, also reflected the political and social climate of today in this country.