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America marks 250 years of independence, in photos

Jul 4, 2026, 10:58 AM | Updated: Jul 5, 2026, 8:12 am

Tall ships parade under flyovers during the International Parade of Sail, part of Sail250, a gather...

Tall ships parade under flyovers during the International Parade of Sail, part of Sail250, a gathering of tall ships and military ships, Saturday, July 4, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Associated Press's Profile Picture

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS


The United States marks the 250th anniversary of its independence with parades, fireworks and patriotic celebrations across the country, as a sweltering heat wave and political divisions shape this year’s historic Fourth of July.

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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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America marks 250 years of independence, in photos