Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump officially launched celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary on Wednesday with a rally on the National Mall, declaring that the nation’s semiquincentennial will coincide with an unprecedented period of economic growth and national renewal.
“There has never been anything like the United States of America, and together we are making it bigger and better and stronger and far more exceptional than ever before,” the president said during remarks delivered at the opening event.
The rally marked the beginning of the Great American State Fair, a 16-day celebration featuring pavilions representing all 50 states, six U.S. territories, concerts, military displays and historical exhibits commemorating the nation’s founding.
President Trump praised the Declaration of Independence and the founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, arguing that those ideals transformed world history and helped establish what he described as the world’s greatest nation.
“Tonight, as we stand on the edge of our 250th year of independence, I am thrilled to declare that America is back,” the president said. “As you know very well, a short time ago, we were a dead country. We were dead. Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world. We’re respected by everybody. Nobody’s laughing at us anymore. Two years ago, they were laughing. Now, we’re the most respected anywhere.”
The event included military flyovers, speeches from Cabinet officials, and musical performances by Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio after several previously announced entertainers withdrew from the concert lineup.
During his remarks, Trump honored generations of Americans who fought in the Revolutionary War, expanded the nation westward, built its infrastructure, won major wars, and advanced scientific and technological achievements.
He also outlined several legacy projects tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, including a new White House ballroom, a proposed triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, the National Garden of American Heroes, and the upcoming Spirit of ’76 exhibition at Freedom Plaza.
“We’ve never reached so high as we’re reaching right now. This is our heritage. This is our history, and this is the destiny of America to be the greatest, most incredible country ever to grace the earth,” he said.
