July 3, 2026:
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump ushered in the 250th anniversary of American independence on Friday with soaring rhetoric about American exceptionalism before veering into a darkly political speech with warnings about a sinister threat of communism that evoked one of the country’s ugliest chapters.
“Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty,” he said from Mount Rushmore. “It is the greatest threat to our country, including World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor or even 9/11.”
While the language was similar to several other speeches Trump has given in recent days, it was notable for being delivered in a national park that commemorates some of America’s most prominent presidents. And it swerved from the typically apolitical, unifying speeches past presidents like Gerald Ford or Ronald Reagan have delivered during earlier high-profile Independence Day celebrations.
Indeed, Trump’s language evoked the Red Scare of the 1950s, when alleged communists were persecuted and blacklisted from jobs across America, from Washington to Hollywood.
In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, delivered his own address that cast America as a nation of contradictions “working each day towards the perfection in which it was conceived.”
The president’s speech capped an Independence Day eve that was otherwise most notable for a brutal heat wave the gripped much of the eastern portion of the country. Officials have warned those celebrating the holiday to stay hydrated and take air-conditioned breaks as needed.
Philadelphia canceled its Salute to Independence parade Friday. The Great American State Fair in Washington shut down in the early afternoon before reopening at 5 p.m. The Capitol Fourth concert, a mainstay of the holiday in Washington, opened its gates a little later than normal but ultimately moved forward with appearances from Patti LaBelle, Trace Adkins, members of the Artemis II space mission and fireworks over George Washington’s Mount Vernon. An Independence Day parade scheduled for Saturday in Washington was canceled.
Looking for a place to cool off
By early afternoon Friday in Washington, hundreds of people were roaming the grounds of the National Mall, home to The Great American State Fair. They snapped photos of the flyovers and tried to cool off inside tents that offered $9 lemonades and $23 turkey legs. Many were dressed in patriotic colors, their faces glistening with sweat.
Glenn Brooks, who was pardoned by Trump for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, said he was “thankful to be participating in this grand event.”
The activity culminates in the main event Saturday, when fireworks will erupt in communities across the U.S., along with backyard cookouts and block parties. Trump will deliver another speech at the National Mall in Washington before what is being billed as a historically massive fireworks show.
As the rest of the country struggled under stifling heat, the Pacific Northwest enjoyed temperatures in the 60s with even a few light showers.
World Cup soccer fans in Seattle were staying cool Friday as they got psyched up for Monday’s big game between the U.S. and Belgium. In the nearby suburb of Issaquah, Megan Kurowski, 31, brought her two dogs to the dog park so they could get some exercise before she went to work.
Kurowski said she was feeling positive about America’s 250th anniversary and was planning a possible paddleboard to watch the fireworks.
“Everyone’s just, from what it seems, been pretty excited about celebrating 250 years,” she said.
The holiday is unfolding at a unique time in the U.S. The anniversary has served as an opportunity for the country to reflect on its history while also reminding it of the political polarization of the moment.
On a holiday of unity, there is an undercurrent of division
In New York, Mamdani, a Democrat, did not mention Trump by name, but parts of his speech appeared aimed at the president’s divisive rhetoric.
“For generation after generation, we have been told that when the world has sent its people to our shores, it has not sent its best,” Mamdani said in an apparent reference to a common criticism from Trump. “Those ideals upon which our nation was built — they are strong enough to endure any authoritarian regime, but only if we reach for them.”
Freedom 250, an organization aligned with the White House, has come to rival America250, a bipartisan group founded by Congress a decade ago. Freedom 250 has organized much of the activity in Washington, including the Great American State Fair. America250 is behind the ball drops unfolding in many cities, including New York, and will host a concert in Los Angeles on Saturday.
About 4 in 10 U.S. adults feel “proud” about the country’s 250th anniversary, according to an April survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Roughly 3 in 10 said “excited” describes their emotions.
Ahead of the holiday, auto technician Joe Fuqua-Bejarano in Topeka, Kansas, sized up “what makes us awesome” as a people. It is clearly not the politics, in his view, but rather resilience.
“We’ve just all got to find unity somewhere, whether that’s in laughter or perseverance, and keep everybody cool,” he said from the fireworks stand where he is doing a booming business as a side hustle.
Christina Zhou, a 25-year-old research assistant from Cambridge, Massachusetts, said she would aim to “think about just things that are happening locally.”
“It feels a little bit more like within our own personal control,” she said.
Jerry Chin of Newcastle, Washington, said he wasn’t aware that the U.S. was celebrating its 250th anniversary and planned to stay low-key around the holiday. He and his wife generally skip the fireworks and instead stay home with their fearful dogs to keep them calm.
“America’s a great place, but there are some concerns,” he said. Chin, 55, and his wife worry about healthcare and issues around staying healthy, but they also stress about politics.
“We’re Democrats, so kind of given up hope,” he said. “Just feel that it is the way it is. I don’t know if there could be change.”
At the National Archives in Washington, visitors made their way through the Rotunda to look at the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights — and to escape the heat outside.
Michael Dresdner, 60, traveled from West Orange, New Jersey, with his wife, Cindi, 57, and about two dozen other people to be part of the America 250 celebrations. He said their group of travelers included people on both sides of the political aisle — and that is what gave him hope for the future of American democracy.
“We are all here, and we all love America,” he said.
June 28, 2026:
United States President Donald J. Trump has announced (June 25, 2026) that he will attend the America 250 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration on July 3, 2026, in South Dakota.
The historic fireworks celebration will be held on July 3, 2026, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Park Service. Governor Larry Rhoden and DOI Secretary Doug Burgum previously signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to move forward with planning for the fireworks celebration.
Tickets for attendance at the event were distributed through a public lottery, which ended on April 12.
More information, including FAQs, can be found on the National Park Service website.
April 15, 2026:
Demand for the upcoming July 3 fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore National Memorial soared with 102,991 tickets requested for the official Freedom 250 event.
Approximately 4,800 participants will be able to attend the event. The randomly selected ticket lottery was administered by Recreation.gov from April 8 through April 12, 2026. Lottery applicants were notified if they were successful on April 14.
“South Dakota is proud to welcome visitors from across the country to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at Mount Rushmore,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “We appreciate the partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior and National Park Service. Their collaboration has been instrumental in planning an event that reflects the values of our nation and the significance of this iconic landmark as a symbol of freedom and unity.”
Event organizers are finalizing an evening program designed to deliver a memorable and meaningful celebration at Mount Rushmore. The night will culminate in a fireworks and light show set to a patriotic soundtrack, honoring the legacy of the monument and the enduring spirit of the United States.
A crew of 30 pyrotechnicians and specially trained highline operators will install fireworks and lighting at designated locations at the Memorial. The State of South Dakota has contracted with Pyro Spectaculars, the same vendor that successfully produced the 2020 Mount Rushmore fireworks display. In addition to pyrotechnics, the 2026 contract includes lighting elements that can be utilized if environmental conditions require an alternative to fireworks.
To enhance the visitor experience and prioritize safety & security, total attendance has been reduced compared to the 2020 event, ensuring all ticketed guests remain within the main campus of Mount Rushmore.
The National Park Service has conducted an environmental assessment for the event, which is available on the NPS website. Protection of the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore National Memorial remains central to planning efforts for the July 3 celebration. Planning partners continue to coordinate closely to ensure a safe and responsible event.
March 9, 2026:
The National Park Service will conduct a ticket lottery next month to determine who gets to attend the July 3, 2026, fireworks display at South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore National Memorial to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.
The public ticket lottery will be available from April 8–12, 2026, on Recreation.gov.
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As part of the Trump administration’s commitment to enhancing access for American residents, the lottery and event are open only to U.S. residents.
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A valid, government-issued photo ID will be required for entry for ages 16 years and older.
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Applications for the ticket lottery can be submitted from April 8 at 8am MT through April 12 at 9:59pm MT.
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There is a $1 non-refundable lottery application fee.
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Each applicant can apply for up to four tickets and a parking space or shuttle service.
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Applicants will receive lottery results on April 14. Successful notices will include additional details and instructions for attendees.
Dr. Jenifer Chatfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, said they’re excited to reinstate a fireworks show as the highlight of Mount Rushmore’s Independence Day commemoration. After a five-year absence, she said the public is invited to enjoy the show and reflect on the United States’ remarkable 250 year history.
The park will close to the general public the evening of July 2. At 1pm MT on July 3, Mount Rushmore will reopen for ticketed participants only. Special events will take place in the park from approximately 4–10pm MT.
July 3 fireworks show ticket holders should allow ample time for security screening. There will be limitations on items allowed through security. Additional information is available on the park’s Independence Day website.
June 24, 2025:
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and United States Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced that the State of South Dakota and the United States Department of the Interior are moving forward with planning for the Mount Rushmore Fireworks celebration to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday. Governor Rhoden and Secretary Burgum signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to move forward with planning, which you can find here.
“South Dakota is the epitome of freedom, so it is only fitting to throw the biggest birthday party ever for the United States of America in our backyard,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “President John Adams said that Independence Day, ‘ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade… Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.’ These fireworks achieve that mission, and I am grateful for Secretary Burgum and President Trump’s partnership. You won’t want to miss it!”
Back in February, Governor Rhoden and Secretary Burgum agreed that fireworks will return to Mount Rushmore for America’s 250th birthday in 2026. This MOA serves as the legal binding document.
“Next year, America will celebrate 250 years of independence, and it is a priority of President Trump and the Department of the Interior to ensure we have the appropriate celebration for the greatest nation in the world,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “With the help of South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and the National Park Service, we are sealing plans to observe our great country’s birthday at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, a staple of American history, in 2026. Through this joint effort, the Department looks forward to ensuring the two and a half centuries of American leadership, growth, and strength are honored during this historic celebration.”
Governor Rhoden also invited President Trump to attend this fantastic celebration. He made this invitation in a letter to the President, which you can find here.
February 18, 2025:
A fireworks display will be held at Mount Rushmore in 2026 to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum reached the agreement last week (Feb. 14, 2025).
Mount Rushmore is a national memorial under the control of the United States Department of the Interior. Rhoden says he looks forward to partnering with the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday (Task Force 250) to make this historic event possible.
Rhoden says the nation’s 250th birthday will draw the attention of the entire world and he thanks Burgum for helping to make this historic event happen. President Donald Trump has been invited to attend the celebration.
2020 was the last time fireworks were last set off at Mount Rushmore in celebration of Independence Day. In years since, the Biden Administration rejected requests to continue the fireworks celebration.
February 3, 2025:
President Donald Trump’s return to the White House could mean fireworks will again be part of Independence Day celebrations at Mount Rushmore.
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden is hoping to have a fireworks display next year as part of the United States 250th birthday celebration.
Rhoden sent a letter Monday (Feb. 3, 2025) inviting President Donald Trump to come to Mount Rushmore for Independence Day 2026 to celebrate the nation’s major milestone with fireworks.
Rhoden’s letter says the country is getting ready to throw the biggest birthday party ever for the United States of America and there is no better place to do it than Mount Rushmore. He pointed to Trump’s recent announcement of the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday and the confirmation of former North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as Secretary of the Interior as positive developments that could make it happen.
Trump was at Mount Rushmore for Independence Day in 2020, the last time fireworks were allowed at the national monument. However, under the Biden administration, fireworks permits have been denied by the Department of the Interior, citing reason such as environmental impacts, fire danger and cultural objections from the area’s Native American tribes.
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