Liam Bowman, Maia Nehme, Dana Hedgpeth and Joe Heim reports in the Washington Post:
For a while, it was uncertain whether the record-breaking fireworks show President Donald Trump had promised would even happen.
The nation’s 250th birthday celebration in Washington was beset by record heat, lightning strikes, an evacuation order and widespread confusion on the National Mall about whether the event would go forward. It had been a long, often stressful day.
But the fireworks display that began a stroke before midnight and lasted 40 minutes was a reward for those who stayed and may have provided a temporary respite for a capital and country riven by political anger, distrust and contempt.
Just to add to the Washington Post’s reporting:
Washington, D.C.’s 4th of July celebration utilized roughly 850,000 individual fireworks, with an estimated total weight of over 85 tons of pyrotechnics.
And not to be a party pooper BUT:
Fireworks produce brilliant displays using heavy metals and toxic chemicals. When exploded, these compounds release toxic smoke, ash, and residue that degrade air quality, pollute nearby waterways, and harm human health. The massive smoke clouds are loaded with microscopic dust and soot. Breathing this in triggers asthma attacks, irritates lungs, and worsens cardiovascular diseases.
[Source: Google AI Overview]