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Washington, D.C., will celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4 with what organizers say will be the largest fireworks display in U.S. history, featuring 850,000 fireworks during a 40-minute show over the National Mall.
According to the Trust for the National Mall, organizers with Freedom 250 plan to launch more than 850,000 fireworks, nearly doubling the size of a typical Independence Day display on the National Mall while attempting to set a new world record.
The display has been described as the largest fireworks show in American history. According to Politico, preparations began in January, and the production will stretch more than a mile across Washington, with fireworks launching simultaneously from eight barges on the Potomac River, West Potomac Park and multiple firing sites along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
More than 60 technicians have spent the past week assembling the display using fireworks sourced from the United States, Italy, Spain and Asia. The accompanying soundtrack will feature patriotic songs, including “Party in the U.S.A.” and “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”
President Donald Trump has promoted the celebration as a “Tribute to America” and previewed the event in a Truth Social post.
“This HUGE Celebration will honor our Country’s People, Spirit, Strength, Resolve, and Triumphs,” President Trump wrote.
He said the event will feature more than 300 members of U.S. military bands, orchestras and ceremonial units performing patriotic music near the Lincoln Memorial and the recently renovated Reflecting Pool.
“With the backdrop of the Lincoln Memorial and surrounding the beautifully new Reflecting Pool, more than 300 Members of our strong and talented Military Bands, Orchestras, and Ceremonial Units, will perform Patriotic Melodies and American Classics, and my Playlist (We will have none of those people that put you to sleep and constantly complain!), as we celebrate our Country, and Rally into the next 250 years,” the president said.
He added that the musical ensemble would be “the largest formation of Joint Military Music and Ceremonial performances in History.”
President Trump also said the program will include military flyovers and aerial demonstrations before he delivers keynote remarks.
“There will be incredible Flyovers and Airshows featuring our Top Military Pilots and Equipment, and I will deliver keynote remarks that you will not want to miss. To conclude the program, and commemorate this Historic Occasion, I will be launching, what will be, the LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN HISTORY, right here in our Nation’s Capital,” he said.
