The United States erupted in a riot of color on the Fourth of July holiday, as large-scale fireworks displays lit up the night skies across the country.
To mark 248 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, millions of people celebrated with parades, barbecues and the expected flashes of color in the night sky.
In Washington, bursts of neon light illuminated the night over the National Mall as a beleaguered President Joe Biden looked on.
Meanwhile, New York City came alive with fireworks launched over the Hudson River, lighting up behind the Empire State Building.
And in parades across the country, from Brattleboro, Vermont, to Waco, Texas, to Alameda, California, marchers dressed in red, white and blue and waved the Stars and Stripes in celebration of Independence Day.
Travel records are projected to fall as people pack airports and highways to get to celebrations that will stretch into a long weekend for many.
On the East Coast, some would-be beachgoers in Connecticut were turned away because parking lots at state parks were filled to capacity.
Across the West, residents were left to deal with sweltering heat as the NWS warned of a “significant and extremely dangerous” heat wave across much of the region.
Temperatures in excess of 120 degrees were expected in some parts of the Desert Southwest, and hot, humid conditions were also expected in the Deep South and Mid-Atlantic.
Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show lights up the night sky against the backdrop of the Empire State Building.
A view of the Macy’s 48th Annual Anniversary Fireworks in New York City from Weehawken on July 4, 2024 in Weehawken
A view of the Macy’s fireworks in New York City celebrating the 248th Independence Day of the United States from Hoboken, New Jersey
Fireworks explode on the National Mall above the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC
Fireworks light up the sky over Coors Field to commemorate the Independence Day holiday after the Colorado Rockies defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game Thursday, July 4, 2024, in Denver.
Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, after the game between FC Dallas and the Portland Timbers
The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra performs during the Boston Pops fireworks show at the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Boston Esplanade.
Images taken in Peñascola show fireworks being launched as the nation celebrates Independence Day.
Fireworks light up the sky over Lower Broadway during the Let Freedom Sing! Music City Fourth of July event in Nashville, Tennessee
The Bridgewater 4th of July fireworks show was held at Legion Field in New Jersey
A view of a couple watching the Macy’s 48th Annual Anniversary Fireworks in New York City from Weehawken, New Jersey
A view of the Macy’s 48th Annual Anniversary Fireworks in New York City from The Edge Observation Deck