Extreme heat and storms force cancellation of US 250th Independence Day parades, delay Trump speech
A record-breaking heatwave and forecast thunderstorms forced the cancellation of dozens of parades and events across the eastern United States on 4 July 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. President Donald Trump’s evening address at the National Mall was delayed, and thousands were evacuated from the site.
Heatwave upends celebrations
Temperatures across the eastern seaboard soared to 40–44 °C (104–111 °F) on Saturday, with the National Weather Service issuing extreme heat warnings for over 150 million people. One report put the figure at 185 million, more than half the US population. The heatwave, described as the hottest of the year, brought a third consecutive day of dangerous conditions and was accompanied by forecasts of violent afternoon thunderstorms.
It’ll be about 107 degrees on the Fourth of July, and I’m going to go out and give a really long speech to show I can do anything.
Parades scrapped from Washington to New Jersey
Independence Day parades were cancelled outright in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Cape May (New Jersey), Trenton, Takoma Park (Maryland), Leesburg (Virginia), Laurel (Maryland), and Haddon Township (New Jersey). Annapolis and Collingswood shortened their routes. Organisers in Takoma Park said marching in such heat was “particularly dangerous”.
While we are disappointed to have to postpone the event, the health and safety of all participants must remain our top priority.
A few morning events went ahead before the worst of the heat, including an annual “patriotic dog parade” in North Wildwood, New Jersey. Evening fireworks displays were kept on schedule.
Trump’s delayed address and the fireworks
President Trump’s speech, originally set for Saturday evening, was pushed back as the National Mall was evacuated. He eventually began speaking around 11 p.m. local time, telling the crowd: “We celebrate the triumph of freedom over tyranny, the victory of liberty over oppression, and the enduring victory of the American spirit from July 4, 1776, to July 4, 2026. Tonight our country is stronger, freer, richer, safer, and prouder than ever before.” He invited Pearl Harbor survivor Captain Ken Schubring onto the stage. A roughly 40-minute fireworks display, billed as the largest in history, followed the address.
- Washington DC festival closed due to heat; 44 attendees receive medical aid, 11 hospitalised.
- Morning parades proceed as planned, including the patriotic dog parade in North Wildwood, NJ.
- Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C. cancelled; parades in Philadelphia, Trenton, and elsewhere also called off.
- President Trump delivers delayed speech at the National Mall after evacuation of the site.
- 40-minute fireworks display begins, described as the largest in history.
International messages and power strains
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Americans for their support and said he had spoken by phone with Trump. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent an unusually informal letter to Trump, expressing his conviction that the two countries could cooperate. Meanwhile, the heat caused power disruptions: about 17,000 New Yorkers lost electricity on Friday afternoon, and grid operator PJM ordered conservation measures for its 67 million customers. A downtown Washington festival was closed for several hours on Friday after 44 attendees required medical aid and 11 were hospitalised.
