US commemorates 250th Independence with coast‑to‑coast celebrations

Redwood City in California hosted the state’s largest Independence Day parade, featuring a Falun Gong meditation and marching unit that was welcomed by Mayor Elmer Martinez Saballos, city council members and thousands of spectators. The mayor praised the group’s “truth, kindness, and forbearance” values as a sign of the city’s diversity.

In Washington DC, the National Mall’s “Salute to America” show was interrupted by an extreme heat wave followed by a severe thunderstorm. Secret Service agents ordered the evacuation of tens of thousands of attendees for safety, and some supporters attempted to force their way through security. President Donald Trump posted on social media that he will still deliver his Independence Day address despite the disruption.

The Portuguese Navy’s training ship Sagres arrived in New York to take part in the International Naval Review and later sailed to Boston, showcasing the historic naval ties between Portugal and the United States.

Separately, a Falun Gong “Heavenly Kingdom” band and drum troupe performed on 3rd Street in front of the U.S. Capitol. Audience members praised the music and the group’s message of “truth, kindness, and forbearance,” noting the performances added a vibrant cultural element to the nationwide celebrations.