Founding Fathers led America’s independence and shaped the US Constitution. Key figures like Washington, Jefferson and Franklin built the nation’s democratic foundations.

America turns 250: Who were the founding fathers behind US independence?

As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, the skies of Washington at night are expected to fill with a record-setting 850,000 individual fireworks for a 40-minute spectacle. The biggest fireworks show will be done by the fireworks company Pyrotecnico. The company has five generations of family expertise and experience from major events such as the Super Bowl and large-scale music concerts to mark America's 250th Independence anniversary in spectacular fashion. "I mean, it is the biggest show that we've done," Rocco Vitale, president of Pyrotecnico, told CBS News. "...My earliest memories of fireworks displays and doing the Fourth of July were here." Preparations for the show began in January, with the company using computer simulations to design and perfect the display before the live event. Pyrotecnico showcased one of its key preparations, eight barges positioned along the Potomac River, each equipped to launch the massive fireworks spectacle. "Each firing location has a communication device, and it's all set on GPS. And once the time of the show is put into the system, it goes at that time," Vitale explained.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fourth-of-july-celebrations-across-us-hit-by-severe-heatwave-washington-philadelphia-1783141209004">Fourth of July celebrations across US hit by severe heatwave</a><h3>When will the fireworks display begin?</h3>According to Freedom 250, the organiser of the "Salute to America 250 Celebration &amp; Fireworks" on the National Mall, President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at 9:45 p.m. ET, with the fireworks display beginning at 10:45 p.m. ET. The celebration is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators. In addition, the famous ball will drop eight separate times in New York City's Times Square to mark midnight across each American time zone. Philadelphia is set to bury a time capsule that will remain sealed until 2276. "When it is opened in 2276, we want future generations to have a clear, authentic window into who we were at 250, what we valued, what we built, and how we saw ourselves as a nation," America250 Chair Rosie Rios said. A major concert at the Memorial Coliseum will also be hosted in Los Angeles, whereas cities like Milwaukee are organising neighbourhood block parties.

The US will mark its 250th Independence Day on July 4 with a record-breaking fireworks show featuring 850,000 fireworks over Washington, DC. The 40-minute display by Pyrotecnico begins at 10:45 pm ET after President Donald Trump's address.

As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, the skies of Washington at night are expected to fill with a record-setting 850,000 individual fireworks for a 40-minute spectacle. The biggest fireworks show will be done by the fireworks company Pyrotecnico. The company has five generations of family expertise and experience from major events such as the Super Bowl and large-scale music concerts to mark America's 250th Independence anniversary in spectacular fashion. "I mean, it is the biggest show that we've done," Rocco Vitale, president of Pyrotecnico, told CBS News. "...My earliest memories of fireworks displays and doing the Fourth of July were here." Preparations for the show began in January, with the company using computer simulations to design and perfect the display before the live event. Pyrotecnico showcased one of its key preparations, eight barges positioned along the Potomac River, each equipped to launch the massive fireworks spectacle. "Each firing location has a communication device, and it's all set on GPS. And once the time of the show is put into the system, it goes at that time," Vitale explained. Also read: Fourth of July celebrations across US hit by severe heatwave When will the fireworks display begin? According to Freedom 250, the organiser of the "Salute to America 250 Celebration & Fireworks" on the National Mall, President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at 9:45 p.m. ET, with the fireworks display beginning at 10:45 p.m. ET. The celebration is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators. In addition, the famous ball will drop eight separate times in New York City's Times Square to mark midnight across each American time zone. Philadelphia is set to bury a time capsule that will remain sealed until 2276. "When it is opened in 2276, we want future generations to have a clear, authentic window into who we were at 250, what we valued, what we built, and how we saw ourselves as a nation," America250 Chair Rosie Rios said. A major concert at the Memorial Coliseum will also be hosted in Los Angeles, whereas cities like Milwaukee are organising neighbourhood block parties.

The US will mark its 250th Independence Day on July 4 with a record-breaking fireworks show featuring 850,000 fireworks over Washington, DC. The 40-minute display by Pyrotecnico begins at 10:45 pm ET after President Donald Trump's address.

'It's our biggest show ever': Family-owned firm prepares for largest fireworks display on US 250th Independence Day

The United States is celebrating its 250th birthday, the Semiquincentennial, on July 4, 2026, marking exactly 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This complex, 17-letter word formally designates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking two and a half centuries since 56 delegates in Philadelphia sacrificed everything to break away from British rule and establish a new republic. United States birth took place after the 13 American colonies declared their separation from British rule. The flagship celebrations span across all 50 states, where the most notable historical and entertainment events take place in traditional hubs like Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston, and Charleston. In addition, major concerts, military parades, and world-record firework displays also take place.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-independence-day-2026-history-significance-why-americans-celebrate-4th-of-july-1783092577213">US Independence Day 2026: History, significance - why Americans celebrate 4th of July</a><h2>What is the Semiquincentennial?</h2>The semiquincentennial is a 250th anniversary, or the commemoration of an event that happened exactly 250 years ago. The word is frequently used to describe monumental milestones for nations or long-standing organisations. Currently, the word is being used for the United States, which is celebrating its 250th birthday as the nation adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776 on the same day. The anniversary also provides an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the founding principles of liberty, democracy and self-governance that shaped the country. Meanwhile, the journey of the US' independence started after the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, Britain imposed a series of taxes on its American colonies to recover wartime expenses. Measures such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Acts triggered widespread protests, with colonists arguing they were being taxed without representation in the British Parliament. Public opposition grew through protest and organised boycotts, marking one of the defining moments that came in December 1773 during the Boston Tea Party, when colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbour to protest taxation. Britain responded with punitive measures known as the Intolerable Acts, further escalating tensions between the colonies and the British Crown. Armed conflict eventually broke out in April 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. As fighting continued, many colonial leaders concluded that reconciliation with Britain was no longer possible and began pushing for complete independence.&nbsp;

The word is frequently used to describe monumental milestones for nations or long-standing organisations. Currently, the word is being used for the United States, which is celebrating its 250th birthday as the nation adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2027.

The United States is celebrating its 250th birthday, the Semiquincentennial, on July 4, 2026, marking exactly 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This complex, 17-letter word formally designates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking two and a half centuries since 56 delegates in Philadelphia sacrificed everything to break away from British rule and establish a new republic. United States birth took place after the 13 American colonies declared their separation from British rule. The flagship celebrations span across all 50 states, where the most notable historical and entertainment events take place in traditional hubs like Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston, and Charleston. In addition, major concerts, military parades, and world-record firework displays also take place. Also read: US Independence Day 2026: History, significance - why Americans celebrate 4th of July What is the Semiquincentennial? The semiquincentennial is a 250th anniversary, or the commemoration of an event that happened exactly 250 years ago. The word is frequently used to describe monumental milestones for nations or long-standing organisations. Currently, the word is being used for the United States, which is celebrating its 250th birthday as the nation adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776 on the same day. The anniversary also provides an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the founding principles of liberty, democracy and self-governance that shaped the country. Meanwhile, the journey of the US' independence started after the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, Britain imposed a series of taxes on its American colonies to recover wartime expenses. Measures such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Acts triggered widespread protests, with colonists arguing they were being taxed without representation in the British Parliament. Public opposition grew through protest and organised boycotts, marking one of the defining moments that came in December 1773 during the Boston Tea Party, when colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbour to protest taxation. Britain responded with punitive measures known as the Intolerable Acts, further escalating tensions between the colonies and the British Crown. Armed conflict eventually broke out in April 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. As fighting continued, many colonial leaders concluded that reconciliation with Britain was no longer possible and began pushing for complete independence.

The word is frequently used to describe monumental milestones for nations or long-standing organisations. Currently, the word is being used for the United States, which is celebrating its 250th birthday as the nation adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2027.

US Independence Day 2026: What is Semiquincentennial? Meaning behind America's 250th anniversary

The United States Declaration of Independence, a vital political document, is largely attributed to its primary author Thomas Jefferson, but it was a result of collaboration, debate, and approval by representatives of the thirteen American colonies.&nbsp;In June 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a committee of five - Thomas Jefferson (Virginia), John Adams (Massachusetts), Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania), Roger Sherman (Connecticut) and Robert R. Livingston (New York) to draft a declaration explaining why the colonies sought independence from "Great Britain".&nbsp;The first draft of the United States Declaration of Independence was written by Jefferson that was edited with some changes by Adams and Franklin. The full Congress then debated and revised the text before approving it.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/before-becoming-supreme-leader-ali-khamenei-was-arrested-multiple-times-here-s-why-1783089059526">Before becoming supreme leader, Ali Khamenei was arrested multiple times. Here's why</a>&nbsp;The Declaration was officially adopted on July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia and is marked as the &nbsp;Independence Day in the United States.&nbsp;The main purpose of the declaration was to formally announce the independence of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain and explain the reasons for doing so and lastly, to present the philosophical principles on which the new nation would be based.<h2>Significance of the declaration</h2>&nbsp;The declaration's major achievement was the formation of United States as an independent nation. It also inspired democratic movements and declarations of rights around the world.&nbsp;Established principles of individual rights and government based on the consent of the governed, even though many of those ideals were not fully realized at the time, particularly for enslaved people, women, and Indigenous peoples.&nbsp;The original document is preserved at the National Archives Building in Washington, where it remains one of the country's most important historical documents. &nbsp;

The main purpose of the declaration was to formally announce the independence of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain and explain the reasons for doing so.

The United States Declaration of Independence, a vital political document, is largely attributed to its primary author Thomas Jefferson, but it was a result of collaboration, debate, and approval by representatives of the thirteen American colonies. In June 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a committee of five - Thomas Jefferson (Virginia), John Adams (Massachusetts), Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania), Roger Sherman (Connecticut) and Robert R. Livingston (New York) to draft a declaration explaining why the colonies sought independence from "Great Britain". The first draft of the United States Declaration of Independence was written by Jefferson that was edited with some changes by Adams and Franklin. The full Congress then debated and revised the text before approving it. ALSO READ: Before becoming supreme leader, Ali Khamenei was arrested multiple times. Here's why The Declaration was officially adopted on July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia and is marked as the Independence Day in the United States. The main purpose of the declaration was to formally announce the independence of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain and explain the reasons for doing so and lastly, to present the philosophical principles on which the new nation would be based. Significance of the declaration The declaration's major achievement was the formation of United States as an independent nation. It also inspired democratic movements and declarations of rights around the world. Established principles of individual rights and government based on the consent of the governed, even though many of those ideals were not fully realized at the time, particularly for enslaved people, women, and Indigenous peoples. The original document is preserved at the National Archives Building in Washington, where it remains one of the country's most important historical documents.

The main purpose of the declaration was to formally announce the independence of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain and explain the reasons for doing so.

Who wrote the US Declaration of Independence? Author, date, and key facts

The US is celebrating its 250th Independence Day on Saturday (July 4), marking a major milestone since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The occasion commemorates the birth of the United States as an independent nation after the 13 American colonies declared their separation from British rule. Observed as a federal holiday, Independence Day is one of the country's most important national celebrations, marked by parades, fireworks, concerts, ceremonies and community gatherings across the nation.&nbsp;The anniversary also provides an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the founding principles of liberty, democracy and self-governance that shaped the country.<h2>The road to independence</h2>The movement towards American independence began years before the Declaration was adopted.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/before-becoming-supreme-leader-ali-khamenei-was-arrested-multiple-times-here-s-why-1783089059526">Before becoming supreme leader, Ali Khamenei was arrested multiple times. Here's why</a>&nbsp;Following the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, Britain imposed a series of taxes on its American colonies to recover wartime expenses. Measures such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Acts triggered widespread protests, with colonists arguing they were being taxed without representation in the British Parliament.&nbsp;Public opposition grew through demonstrations and organised boycotts. One of the defining moments came in December 1773 during the Boston Tea Party, when colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbour to protest taxation.&nbsp;Britain responded with punitive measures known as the Intolerable Acts, further escalating tensions between the colonies and the British Crown.&nbsp;Armed conflict eventually broke out in April 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. As fighting continued, many colonial leaders concluded that reconciliation with Britain was no longer possible and began pushing for complete independence.<h2>The Declaration of Independence</h2>The Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to determine the future of the colonies.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inside-the-500-000-mobility-target-why-japan-wants-50-000-indian-workers-japan-workers-shortage-1783077430875">Inside the 500,000 mobility target: Why Japan wants 50,000 Indian workers</a>&nbsp;On July 2, 1776, delegates voted in favour of independence. Two days later, on July 4, the Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, a document that remains one of the most influential political texts in history.&nbsp;The declaration was drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, with contributions from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston.&nbsp;The document outlined the colonies' grievances against King George III and declared that "all men are created equal", asserting that people possess certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.&nbsp;The adoption of the declaration marked the formal birth of the United States, although the Revolutionary War continued until 1783, when Britain recognised American independence through the Treaty of Paris.<h2>Why Americans celebrate the Fourth of July</h2>Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, rather than the end of the Revolutionary War.&nbsp;Today, Americans observe the holiday through patriotic events held across the country. Celebrations typically include flag-raising ceremonies, parades, concerts, fireworks displays, family gatherings and public readings of the Declaration of Independence.

Celebrating its 250th Independence Day, the US commemorates July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress adopted Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, formally breaking 13 colonies away from British rule.

The US is celebrating its 250th Independence Day on Saturday (July 4), marking a major milestone since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The occasion commemorates the birth of the United States as an independent nation after the 13 American colonies declared their separation from British rule. Observed as a federal holiday, Independence Day is one of the country's most important national celebrations, marked by parades, fireworks, concerts, ceremonies and community gatherings across the nation. The anniversary also provides an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the founding principles of liberty, democracy and self-governance that shaped the country. The road to independence The movement towards American independence began years before the Declaration was adopted. Also read: Before becoming supreme leader, Ali Khamenei was arrested multiple times. Here's why Following the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, Britain imposed a series of taxes on its American colonies to recover wartime expenses. Measures such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Acts triggered widespread protests, with colonists arguing they were being taxed without representation in the British Parliament. Public opposition grew through demonstrations and organised boycotts. One of the defining moments came in December 1773 during the Boston Tea Party, when colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbour to protest taxation. Britain responded with punitive measures known as the Intolerable Acts, further escalating tensions between the colonies and the British Crown. Armed conflict eventually broke out in April 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. As fighting continued, many colonial leaders concluded that reconciliation with Britain was no longer possible and began pushing for complete independence. The Declaration of Independence The Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to determine the future of the colonies. Also read: Inside the 500,000 mobility target: Why Japan wants 50,000 Indian workers On July 2, 1776, delegates voted in favour of independence. Two days later, on July 4, the Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, a document that remains one of the most influential political texts in history. The declaration was drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, with contributions from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. The document outlined the colonies' grievances against King George III and declared that "all men are created equal", asserting that people possess certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The adoption of the declaration marked the formal birth of the United States, although the Revolutionary War continued until 1783, when Britain recognised American independence through the Treaty of Paris. Why Americans celebrate the Fourth of July Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, rather than the end of the Revolutionary War. Today, Americans observe the holiday through patriotic events held across the country. Celebrations typically include flag-raising ceremonies, parades, concerts, fireworks displays, family gatherings and public readings of the Declaration of Independence.

Celebrating its 250th Independence Day, the US commemorates July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress adopted Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, formally breaking 13 colonies away from British rule.

US Independence Day 2026: History, significance - why Americans celebrate 4th of July

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America turns 250: Who were the founding fathers behind US independence?

US 250th Independence Day: Family-owned firm set for biggest fireworks display

What is Semiquincentennial? Meaning behind America's 250th anniversary

Who wrote the US Declaration of Independence? Author, date, and key facts

US Independence Day 2026: Why Americans celebrate 4th of July