Image source, Reuters

While the fireworks are still going off across the US, America's 250th birthday celebration is coming to a close.

• Fireworks are lighting up Washington DC in a 40-minute show that aims to break a Guinness World Record for the largest display in history

• Extreme weather affected celebrations on the east coast and forced Trump to delay his speech
• In his 40-minute address, Trump covered many of the same talking points that he hits often at his rallies across the US

• The 4th of July is a celebration, but divisive politics loomed large during this milestone, as Trump "seems to relish creating conspicuous displays of his personal power," writes the BBC's North America editor Sarah Smith.
• World Cup matches, flypasts, and the nation's annual hot-dog eating contest provided lighter fare earlier in the day
• The US is celebrating the semiquincentennial anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, ending British rule in the 13 original colonies
• People told the BBC "none of us will ever see this celebration again" and they were in the capital "to celebrate our country"

Thanks for joining us. You can read all about the day here.

Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu
Live reporter

I’m watching the fireworks from the US Capitol, away from the crowds on the National Mall amid light drizzle.

The fireworks began at midnight shortly after a war plane flew overhead.

There is also sporadic lightning seemingly in competition with the fireworks.

To the west of me, I can also see another set of pyrotechnic displays behind the Library of Congress.

Image source, Kwasi Asiedu

Trump's 40-minute speech has concluded with grandiose statements on America's future.

Upon closing, he remarks that "this only the dawn of the golden age of America" with its destiny "written by God".

He humorously references the "inconvenience" of the storms that rolled through, but thanks the crowd for their perseverance.

"God Bless America," he says, a refrain used by presidents of all stripes in the modern era.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

The president has paid tribute to veterans who stood in front of one of the oldest flags in the US – a revolutionary-era 1777 flag that he says was draped over George Washington's casket.

Among them were veterans from conflicts the US has been involved in over the past century: World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam war.

Retired US Army Capt Ken Schubring, a 104-year-old veteran who bore witness to Pearl Harbour was cheered by the crowd after being introduced by Trump.

Trump also gave a nod to retired US Army Col and Medal of Honor recipient Paris D. Davis, whose service spanned the Vietnam war.

Trump hitting familiar talking points in anniversary addresspublished at 04:46 BST

04:46 BST

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

While Trump's speech is perhaps more historical than the norm, he is hitting many of the same talking points that he discusses, at length, in many of his rallies across the US.

This included Trump's vow to pass the SAVE America Act - which would mandate proof of citizenship and ID to vote, and bar mail-in ballots except in cases of illness, military deployment or other exceptional circumstances.

This has taken on renewed importance for the White House in the wake of this week's Supreme Court decision which protected mail-in ballots - a notable defeat for the Trump administration from a conservative-leaning Supreme Court.

The spectre of "communism" has repeatedly been mentioned in his speech, with the president comparing it to a cancer that must be excised.

Trump's detractors are likely to accuse him of conflating America's Cold War enemies with his domestic opponents, rather than unifying the country.

Notably, however, Trump has so far not mentioned Democrats, Joe Biden, Barack Obama or some of the other frequent targets of his criticism.

Trump's 250th anniversary address is filled with some classic themes: commemorating American enterprise, condemning "communists" and talking up his achievements in office.

"The American dream is back," he tells a cheering crowd.

He says the military and police force are flooded with new recruits, meaning it is now "hard" to get a job in the field.

His speech has also veered into his own legislative agenda – voting reforms called the Save America Act and the executive order attempting to strike down birthright citizenship, as well as efforts to protect the Second Amendment; namely, the right to bear arms.

And he makes reference to his overseas interventions: Venezuela – US forces seizing former President Nicolás Maduro – and strikes on the Iranian navy.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Trump took to the stage in a good mood - starting by thanking the crowd that made it to the event despite the inclement weather and evacuations earlier.

Trump so far seems to be largely sticking to the script, and although he says that the country is in better shape "than ever before" - as he does at rallies - it's started as a largely history-focused speech.

But about seven minutes in, Trump brought up "communists", a label he often attaches to Democrats and other political opponents.

Soon after, he vowed to continue protecting American's Second Amendment right to bear arms. The crowd applauded loudly at this.

From where I am standing about 15 rows from the front, the crowd is listening with rapt attention.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

The president has now taken to the stage to deliver his speech on the 250th anniversary of American independence.

He kicked it off by recognising the challenges posed by weather this evening, telling the waiting crowd: "If you think that was easy, it wasn't."

Lee Greenwood has just finished singing his patriotic tune God Bless the USA.

We're expecting the president to speak next, who has just arrived.

Members of his cabinet are also present, including Marco Rubio (Secretary of State) and Markwayne Mullin (his new Homeland Security Secretary).

Sarah Smith
North America editor, in South Dakota

Image source, Reuters

President Donald Trump seems to relish creating conspicuous displays of his personal power.

He surrounds himself with cabinet members and officials who publicly praise him.

He attacks world leaders who have fallen from his favour.

And he pressures some of the biggest US corporations to do his bidding.

Approaching the halfway point of his second term in the White House, Trump recently told an interviewer "there are no limits" to his power.

It's a sentiment that seems the antithesis of the so-called American experiment, which began 250 years ago when the country declared its independence from British monarchical rule.

What would those revolutionaries make of the current head of state? Not much, his critics say.

Millions have marched in anti-Trump protests around the US and the world under the banners of "No Kings", "Democracy Not Monarchy" and "We have a Constitution, Not a King".

They say Trump is pushing his power further than previous presidents have dared to try.

You can read my full analysis here.

It isn't just the celebrations in Washington DC that have been interrupted by inclement weather.

In Philadelphia, the One Philly: Unity Concert for America event is being evacuated due to approaching severe weather.

The city's Office of Emergency Management urged attendees to "move quickly and calmly to the nearest exit" after the concert was stopped due to the impending storm, warning of high winds, heavy rain and frequent lightening.

Firework displays in New York City and Tulsa were brought forward to try and dodge incoming storms, while the Baltimore display has been pushed back.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr

I've just arrived at the venue, where I'm located on a platform overlooking the stage.

To my front is a "Salute to America" sign in neon lights. The "C" in America appears to be malfunctioning.

Behind me is a large temporary structure with large windows. Inside, I see Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Steve Lutnick and various other officials, alongside Donald Trump Jr, several men in cowboy hats, MAGA caps and women in glittering dresses. Markwayne Mullin and Ivanka Trump have also been spotted.

The president is inside and he just waved to the crowd to loud applause, while he seems to be watching Fox News' coverage of the event.

Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr

Iona Hampson
Reporting from the National Mall

Image source, Iona Hampson / BBC

We are back inside the Salute to America area for tonight's Freedom 250 event after reentering security.

Yes, some may have gone home but thousands have returned to see the president and the fireworks display. The crowd roared as the Washington monument lit up with the word Freedom.

There's a steady steam coming back in, the bleachers are filing out and many are returning to the priority seating at the front.

Rich Preston
Reporting from Washington

The gates have now opened at the National Mall and people have made a rush for the security screening areas.

The Secret Service has promised they will make the re-screening process as quick and smooth as possible.

But there are thousands of people here desperate to get back to the venue. This will take a while.

Americans donned red, white and blue and braved record-breaking heat and thunderstorms to celebrate their country's 250th anniversary.

Here are some of our favourite pictures:

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

A confrontation in Boston on a cold March day between residents and British troops served as a major catalysts for US independence six years later.

The crowd hurled oyster shells, coal and hunks of ice at the soldiers, until the disturbance took a devastating turn. The British opened fire, leaving three men killed and two mortally wounded.

In Britain, the event was known euphemistically as "the incident on King Street", but locally it was named "the Boston Massacre".

Three weeks after the massacre, a copperplate engraving made by the prominent silversmith Paul Revere, appeared for sale in Boston newspapers. It was titled “The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street, Boston on March 5, 1770, by a party of the 29th Regiment.”

Its gory depiction of felled patriots streaming with blood being fired on by a line of smirking soldiers served to stoke anti-British sentiment and fan the flames of the rebellion.

Read more of our coverage here.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter

Just moments after we heard the same from the White House, President Trump took to Truth Social to say that his remarks are still expected at 23:00 local time (04:00 BST).

In his post, Trump again said that he would be there "no matter what".

"It's Saturday night, let's have some fun," he wrote. "They say 11:00 O'Clock speech. Who cares?"

"Our great veterans, especially the old timers, many of whom are there, went through hellfire, and it didn’t stop them," he added. "It's not going to stop us either! I’m not going to let some rain stop our 250th. I’m leaving the White House soon."

Organisers have now confirmed the National Mall stage and Great American State Fair will reopen at 21:45 local time to guests for the Salute to America events.

"Rain or shine, the American people deserve a celebration worthy of our nation's historic 250th birthday," Freedom 250 - the group organising the festivities - wrote in a statement.

Firework shows have begun in the US, with New York kicking off some of the nighttime festivities.

Earlier, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani flipped the switch to make the lights on the Empire State Building red, white and blue.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Jonathan Csapo
BBC Producer

A crowd sheltering from the storm at the Jefferson Memorial just broke out into a rendition of the US national anthem - a sort of contrast to the chaos of evacuating the mall before the storm arrived.

Read more about The Star-Spangled Banner's surprising origins