In pictures: July 4 celebrations across the United States

For Americans, nothing is impossible, says Trump

President Donald Trump sang praises of the US military and American heroes of the past two and a half centuries on July 4, skirting politics in a rousing Independence Day speech in Washington.

Fireworks explode over the Lincoln Memorial during the July 4 celebrations in Washington. -AFP

President Donald Trump appears on a large screen at the Lincoln Memorial Washington. -REUTERS

"What a great country," Trump exclaimed in an address saturated with patriotism and exceptionalism.
"For Americans, nothing is impossible," he said

President Donald Trump reacts during the "Salute to America". -REUTERS

Combat aircraft, including the rarely-seen B2 stealth bomber, flew overhead as Trump scrolled through myriad events of US history, from groundbreaking inventions to battlefield victories.

US Navy Blue Angels do a flypast at Lincoln Memorial Washington. - REUTERS

PHOTO: AFP

 

A marching band performs on the National Mall. -AFP

The July 4 celebrations usually draw hundreds of thousands of people to the National Mall for picnics and twilight fireworks,

Fireworks explode over the Lincoln Memorial. -AFP

-AFP

People watch Macy's July 4 firework show from Brooklyn In New York. -REUTERS

The annual July 4 display by Macy. -AFP

Trump originally wanted a grand military parade for the holiday, ostensibly inspired by France's rollout of its armed forces on its own national day.
Instead, he got a scaled-back version, with some US armored vehicles parked for display and a flyover by the president's own Air Force One jet, the B2 bomber, attack helicopters, other warplanes, and the Navy's Blue Angels aerobatics team.

Even so, it was a show of martial force that has been absent from the US capital for decades, and Trump's foes blasted it ahead of time as a show of militarism.

People blow up baby Trump Balloons during the July 4 festivities. -AFP

People gathered on National Mall during President Trump Speech. -AFP

-AFP