The United States is celebrating Independence Day as President Trump kicked off the festivities with the America250 campaign, a day before signing a major tax bill into law on Friday.

Known now as a day of patriotism and enjoying time off from work, the Fourth of July began the journey to becoming a quintessential American holiday in 1776, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

As the US celebrates its 249th Independence Day, national pride is divided amid political tensions, immigration fears, and growing protests, while rising tariffs threaten future fireworks displays.