America celebrated its 250th independence anniversary on Saturday in a way that resonated with the spirit of 2026.
Military jets flew over families gathered in awe, while the sounds of fireworks lit up the air even before dusk. Classic cars and marching bands made their way through parade routes, evoking a sense of nostalgia for the mid-century era often seen as “the good old days.”
However, it wasn’t long before the era’s contentious politics took the spotlight.
This shift began with a passionate address by President Trump on Friday, where he criticized communism, which led to backlash from Democratic leaders who condemned his divisive rhetoric on a day meant for unity.
Some July Fourth revelers opted for topics unrelated to politics, discussing everything from California’s pleasant weather to the extreme heat affecting the East Coast, along with the World Cup, where Mexico would face England on Sunday—a match many in L.A. were eager to watch, perhaps echoing the founding fathers’ sentiments about the British.
In Santa Monica, parade attendees adorned in shiny red, white, and blue leis and tank tops displayed stars and stripes, waving small American flags as the salty sea breeze flowed in from the Pacific.
A unicycler distributes wristbands Saturday during Huntington Beach’s 122nd Annual Fourth of July Parade on Main Street.
(Arwen Clemans / Los Angeles Times)
Venice local Dana Paris, clad in a red, white, and blue U.S. soccer jersey, attended the annual event for the first time. In light of global political unrest, she said, “I just felt the need to be here, showcasing my colors, expressing my Americanism, and reminding ourselves that we are all unique.”
Jim Kennedy, walking alongside the Santa Monica Democratic Club, saw the World Cup as a unifying force—the recent victory of the U.S. men’s national team against Bosnia and Herzegovina drew a record-breaking American audience of 33.5 million viewers.
With the international sporting event hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, controversy surrounded much of the discussion, particularly regarding American immigration policies during Trump’s second term. Iran’s team marked a first in World Cup history, competing in a host nation amidst military conflict with its homeland. Nevertheless, a major theme was the cross-cultural bonds forged among fans.
“We must maintain our spirit and determination to address [issues] and unite as a community,” stated Kennedy, adorned with a World Cup chain and accompanied by her daughter and niece on roller skates.
Further up the coast in Pacific Palisades, the community celebrated its first Independence Day since last year’s fire disaster. The event kicked off with 5K and 10K runs, complete with a children’s run, leading into a parade and fireworks. Last year’s run had to be relocated to Venice because of the destruction caused by the fires.
“It’s wonderful to reconnect with familiar faces and friends back here for the race,” a young man named Anders shared with KTLA. He mentioned his house had burned down and emphasized, “It feels great to be back.”
Thousands participated in Huntington Beach’s holiday parade, celebrated as the largest west of the Mississippi River, now in its 122nd year.
Justin Yaskowitz, 24, dressed as Uncle Sam, participates in the one-mile run of the 36th Annual Hermosa Ironman in Hermosa Beach on Saturday.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Others pushed their limits at the annual Ironman event in Hermosa Beach, now in its 36th year. The race features a mile-long beach run, a mile-long ocean paddle, and concludes with participants chugging a 6-pack of beer right after coming out of the water.
The temperatures in the beach cities comfortably sat in the 70s, contrasting sharply with the oppressive heat experienced on the East Coast, where Washington D.C. and Philadelphia were expected to hit around 100 degrees. (For perspective, it was a mild 68 degrees in Philly on July 4, 1776, as noted in a diary by Thomas Jefferson.)
While many events were canceled due to unsafe heat, crowds still filled the streets in cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and New York.
Even as people enjoyed hot dogs and other holiday customs, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence fell during a period marked by sharp divisions in U.S. society. A recent Supreme Court ruling reaffirming birthright citizenship—an issue President Trump sought to restrict—has left many pondering the very essence of American identity.
President Donald Trump speaks at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial on Friday, near Keystone, S.D.
(Alex Brandon / AP Photo)
In a speech on Friday night at Mt. Rushmore, Trump highlighted American exceptionalism while referencing one of the bleakest periods in the nation’s history, labeling communism as “a grave threat to American freedom.”
“It stands as the greatest danger to our nation, surpassing World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor, or even 9/11,” he asserted, also calling for Congress to pass the proposed SAVE America Act, aimed at implementing stricter voter ID requirements.
Trump’s remarks arrive amidst a surge of progressive voices, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, emerging as significant political players.
Former President Bill Clinton criticized the current administration, labeling them as a danger to “democracy itself.”
“Those in power have instigated masked agents to detain individuals from their homes, places of work, and public spaces,” he stated. “They have ignited an unconstitutional conflict without clear goals or a strategy, disregarding the ramifications on countless lives worldwide.”
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom similarly directed his critique at Trump, declaring in a lengthy statement that Trump “does not care about you, he doesn’t care about America, and he barely cares about his own party.”
He raised concerns about potential electoral meddling by Trump during the upcoming midterms and announced plans for new legislation in California making it a felony to intercept ballots prior to official certification by state and county authorities.
The Fourth of July observance was particularly somber at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood, where a small group of families paid respects to their fallen loved ones.
Ana Fajardo sat near the grave of her son Edgar E. Lopez, a Marine Corps sergeant killed in Iraq’s Babil province in 2004. A bouquet of red, white, and blue flowers adorned the tombstone, with a small star-shaped balloon placed carefully nearby.
Her voice trembled as she recounted her son’s heartfelt assurances: “He promised me every time he would be home: ‘Mom, don’t worry when you’re not working, I’ll take care of you.’”
Amid the ongoing involvement of the United States in Middle Eastern conflicts, Fajardo vividly remembers her son expressing his commitment to defend America. “When he first deployed, he told me, ‘Mom, don’t fret if anything happens to me because I’m fighting for our country.’”
