By admin 
WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a speech heralding America’s victories in war, its grit in settling the West and its leadership in the exploration of space during what he called “an evening for the ages.”
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Celebrations across the country included more than 40 tall ships from around the world sailing into New York Harbor, crowds gathering in Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence from England was drafted and thousands of Americans taking the oath of citizenship.
Trump’s speech cited the importance of military strength and in leading technological discovery. He also veered occasionally into politics, saying communism must be defeated now as fascism was in past wars.
“In signing their names to the roster of freedom, those 56 patriots put everything at risk, stepped onto the stage of destiny, and seized a victory for the ages, and that’s what it was, and this is an evening for the ages,” Trump said about the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Here are seven takeaways from the day’s events:
Campaign elements to Trump’s speech about military, voting, communism
Between historical references, Trump occasionally veered into campaign issues, including his use of the military, his advocacy of election legislation and his criticism of communism.
Trump said he rebuilt the military in his first term so he could use it to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to face corruption charges in the United States and to destroy Iran’s military.
Trump also urged Congress to pass legislation to require voter identification at polling places, proof of citizenship to register and an end to mail-in voting with exceptions for voters in the military, with health issues or who are traveling.
After a surge in victories for democratic socialists, Trump said communism must be stopped.
“America will never be a communist country,” Trump said. “Communism is a loser, and it always will be.”
Trump honors Artemis II astronauts
Trump honored astronauts from Artemis II who flew around the moon earlier this year − and he pledged to send more missions to the lunar surface and to Mars.
The latest astronauts were joined by Jack Schmitt, the last man to walk on the moon, from the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
“They flew further from earth than anyone has ever flown before,” Trump said of the Artemis II crew of Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch, Reid Wiseman and Jeremy Hansen.
Meanwhile, Trump unveiled historic flags repeatedly to illustrate points during his 39-minute speech.
He displayed two of the earliest U.S. flags with 13 stars for the original states. One was from 1777, having flown in the decisive battle at Saratoga, New York. Another was from 1781 in the Battle of Yorktown in Virginia, where the British surrendered to end the Revolutionary War.
“These are the real deal,” Trump said.
He later displayed other special flags, including one that covered President Abraham Lincoln’s casket, a flag presented to Theodore Roosevelt when he returned from Cuba and one from the USS Arizona that sank in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, at the start of World War II.
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“It’s a symbol of American defiance,” Trump said.
Largest display of fireworks in history
After Trump was done speaking, he called the fireworks display the largest in history, with more than 860,000 shells launched from 10 locations lasting about 40 minutes. The capital’s traditional Independence Day show had 10,000 shells lasting 18 minutes.
Freedom 250, a White House-backed nonprofit, chose the sixth-generation family-run company Pyrotecnico of New Castle, Pennsylvania, to create the show. The only request was to beat the record-setting display in the Philippines in 2016.
The pyrotechnics were launched from eight barges on the Potomac River and spots in West Potomac Park. A line along the Reflecting Pool was intended to create a runway-like stream explosives framing the Lincoln Memorial.
“Best fireworks show, EVER!” Trump said on social media.
Historic heat cancels parades, other events for July 4
The 102-degree peak in Washington topped the record of 100 for the date set in 1919. The Great American State Fair and FIFA Fan Zone to watch World Cup soccer games opened at noon for a 1 p.m. game. Water-distribution stations, cooling tents and air-conditioned buses lined the National Mall.
But the Independence Day parade in the nation’s capital was canceled due to heat. Parades were axed in several cities, including Washington, DC, and Philadelphia. Boston police blocked entrances to the Charles River Esplanade, not letting any spectators in until 4 p.m. due to “extreme heat.”
Severe thunderstorm warnings, weather curtail celebrations
Severe thunderstorm warnings prompted evacuations of July Fourth celebrations along the East Coast before spectators returned for performances and fireworks.
- Boston: About 6:30 p.m., police asked those attending the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular to take shelter because of impending weather. The show began about 8 p.m., about an hour later than planned.
- New York: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for New York City, but events weren’t canceled. Fireworks started early in the Big Apple to avoid the storms.
- Washington, DC: Salute to America attendees on the National Mall were asked to evacuate at 7 p.m. due to approaching thunderstorms. But the gates reopened at 9:45 p.m. for Trump’s 11 p.m. speech.
- Pittsburgh: The city temporarily suspended programming after lightning was detected within 8 miles of the area. Organizers asked attendees to shelter at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown, United Steelworkers Building Garage and Acrisure Stadium.
- San Francisco: Dense fog shrouded the Golden Gate Bridge and masked the city’s fireworks display. Instead of captivating burst of fireworks on display, the bridge glowed with hues of greens, yellows, reds and more.
Immigrants take oath of allegiance for citizenship
About 150 new U.S. citizens who took the oath of allegiance during an annual naturalization ceremony at Mount Vernon, President George Washington’s home in Virginia. Immigrants from around the world officially became Americans, surrounded by their relatives.
Smita Sharma, who helped her mom study for the naturalization exam, expressed both excitement and disbelief.
“My upbringing is way different from my parents,” Smita said. “My mom grew up in Nepal and walked to school and came from I can’t even imagine where to now. This is a part of her story and I’m sure it’s something she also can’t imagine happening.”
Tall ships sail into New York Harbor
More than 30 tall ships from across the globe sailed from the Verrazzano Bridge to the George Washington Bridge on the Hudson River in New York. The ships were led by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, known as America’s Tall Ship.
Lorraine Bell, a member of the Knickerbocker chapter for Daughters of the American Revolution, was decked out in patriotic pins for the occasion. She was keeping cool with an electric neck fan, and carried frozen water in her bag to beat the heat.
It’s “important to be out here demonstrating that the United States is still alive and well,” she told USA TODAY, adding that the country “still a work in progress.”
Contributing: Karissa Waddick, Christopher Cann, Josh Meyer, Swasti Singhai, Eduardo Cuevas, Bailey Allen and Noe Padilla
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump blends history, military, politics: 7 takeaways from the 250th
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Reporting by Bart Jansen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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