The celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the United States concluded with the launch of 850,000 fireworks at midnight, following disruptions caused by a heat wave and severe weather.

The massive display, prepared by the Donald Trump administration in the capital, Washington, D.C., to break a Guinness World Record, began at exactly 12:00 a.m. on July 5 (local time), following Independence Day.

The event was originally scheduled to include an Independence Day parade, a fighter jet flyover, a laser show at the Washington Monument on the National Mall, and a speech by President Trump, followed by the fireworks. However, the event faced difficulties due to inclement weather.

Washington had been sweltering for days under a heat dome that covered the eastern United States, with temperatures exceeding 38°C (100°F).

As a result, the parade scheduled for the daytime was canceled.

Despite the heat, crowds gathered on the National Mall and surrounding areas for the main event, "Salute to America."

Access to the National Mall venue was restricted to those who had pre-registered and passed through security screenings.

At the entrance to the venue, lines stretched for hundreds of meters, reminiscent of a world-class concert.

With roads blocked off, people roamed the streets dressed in outfits featuring the Stars and Stripes, tricorn hats popular during the Revolutionary War, and costumes of iconic American characters like Batman.

Before the main event, whenever fighter jets roared at low altitudes around the Washington Monument, the crowd cheered and waved toward the scorching sky.

Attendees came not only from the capital region, known as the "DMV" (Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia), but also from various states including New Jersey, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.

Martin, who said he took a vacation from the Czech Republic to visit Washington for the first time, remarked, "It is hot, but I have been waiting for three hours to see a spectacle I may never see again."

Joe Saligan, who shouted "God Bless USA" every time a fighter jet passed by, said he flew in from Oklahoma after a three-hour flight, adding, "I booked a hotel in Washington six to seven months ago."

They were waiting to see the fireworks display, which had been promoted as having a scale incomparable to any other region.

With crowds flocking to witness a once-in-a-lifetime sight, major accommodations in Washington had been fully booked long in advance.

However, as it neared 7:00 p.m., the sunny sky suddenly darkened, and gusts of wind began to blow, carrying sand that stung the skin.

The strong winds, which made it difficult to keep one's eyes open or stand steady, signaled a severe storm approaching Washington and the eastern United States.

Ultimately, "Freedom 250," the organizer of the event, requested that citizens at the site evacuate.

In an announcement, the organizers stated, "A severe storm is approaching," and directed everyone who had been waiting inside the venue to evacuate to nearby buildings.

As night fell, the rain intensified. Those who could not find shelter and others who lingered on the streets, hoping for the event to resume, were soaked.

Robert and Michelle, a couple from New Jersey, said, "We are desperately hoping the rain stops soon," adding, "We plan to stay in the area because we don't know when the event will resume."

The event, the resumption of which had been uncertain, moved toward restarting as President Trump expressed his determination to proceed with his speech.

President Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social, saying, "(The storm) actually makes it a little more interesting," and added, "It is Saturday night. Let's have some fun, even if we are out late tonight."

The venue gates, which had been closed after clearing the crowds, reopened at 10:00 p.m., and President Trump began his speech at 11:15 p.m., an hour and a half later than planned.

In his speech, he shared that when aides suggested postponing the event due to the weather, he told them, "Next week won't work. Today is the important day. We want July 4th," adding, "Because today is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence."

Immediately after President Trump finished his speech, at midnight, the first of the 850,000 fireworks was launched into the sky above the people who had been waiting anxiously.

It appeared that he had shortened his speech to ensure the fireworks display did not spill over into the early hours of the next day.

As the U.S. military band on the main stage played a medley of pop songs, citizens danced and celebrated America's 250th birthday against the backdrop of fireworks that exploded continuously for nearly 40 minutes.

The atmosphere, which had heated up with the "YMCA" song—often used as an exit song for President Trump's rallies and events—reached its peak when Neil Diamond's signature song "Sweet Caroline" was played in the latter half.

When the "all-time" fireworks display, which seemed as though it would never end, finally concluded, the crowd chanted "USA."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)