United States marks 250 years of independence

Regions across the United States celebrate the 250th Anniversary of American independence as extreme weather threatened to put an end to various events.

US President Donald Trump addresses the nation in Washington, using the opportunity to denouce communism, calling it a "cancer" that is rearing "its ugly head right back here in America."

This Fourth of July marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of America.

After storms prompted a roughly two-hour evacuation of the National Mall in DC and threatened to halt US President Trump's adddress, celeberations were eventually back on track.

In a 40-minute address to the nation, Trump declares the anniversary "one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time," while warning the that communism is "a cancer."

The sentiments have become an increasingly central to his message ahead of the November midterms.

Trump says, "Unlike so many others in the world, in this country, we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, equal justice under the law, although I wasn't treated that well, but we won't get into that. And the right to keep and bear arms."

"Across the generations, Americans have fought, bled, and died not just to secure those rights, but to expand them to citizens of every race, religion, color, and creed. Because we are one people, we are one family - you showed that tonight - with one flag. And as our Declaration of Independence tells us, we are all made in the image of one Almighty God. And a communist will never say that. That's for sure."

Meanwhile, fireworks lit up skies cross the nation from DC to New York. In Washington, crowds watched the firework display from the National Mall.

A firework malfunction lit up the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, leaving smoke in its trail. Traffic was closed off as emergency workers rushed to the scene.

Earlier in the day, the crowd in New York City gathered as the US Navy's Blue Angels, along with international military forces, staged a massive flyover featuring more than 100 aircraft.

Some left trails of red, white and blue smoke over the Hudson River.

More than one hundred international warships and sailing vessels paraded down the Hudson.

On board the US Navy vessel USS Kearsarge, Vice President JD Vance addressed the crowd, saying some small but loud voices would speak "obsessively" on America's birthday about its imperfections instead of its greatness.

He says these people "misunderstand that we all have moments of great power, despite those very real imperfections."

Despite the jubilant atmosphere across the country, the milestone comes amid deep partisan division, according to recent polls.

A recent poll reveals 60% of Americans believe the nation is failing to live up to its founding principles. It also reveals a partisan split regarding the future, with most republicans feeling optimistic, while Democrats expressing the opposite.

A separate Reuters poll suggests most Americans believe the 250th anniversary celebrations have become political.

The view is shared by three-quarters of Democrats and about half of Republicans.