65,000 shells on five barges sitting in New York’s East River blasted off fireworks of red, white and blue into the night sky on Sunday night wowing audiences watching the spectacular display – the city’s biggest ever – both in person and on television.
50 pyrotechnicians had spent days loading the shells before the fuses were lit at 9:25pm as Americans marked their nation’s 245th birthday.
Tens of thousands of people gathered along the city’s East River in the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn in order to catch a glimpse of the impressive show.
As always, fireworks displays are the highlight of the July Fourth holiday, but the displays this year were seen as being extra special after the pandemic forced the cancellation of most of them in 2020.
In Washington D.C., President Joe Biden held a 1,000 person July Fourth celebration on the White House lawn with essential workers and military families before watching the display over the National Mall from a balcony at the White House.
‘This year the Fourth of July is a day of special celebration. for we’re emerging from the darkness of a year of pandemic and isolation, a year of pain fear and heartbreaking loss,’ the president said before fireworks lit up the sky at 9pm.
Fireworks illuminate the sky above the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall during Independence Day celebrations
Red, white and blue fireworks filled the skies over National Mall
The Statue of Liberty can be seen serenaded by fireworks inNew York City firework display
Fireworks explode over the Empire State Building and the Manhattan skyline for the annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
US President Joe Biden (2nd L), First Lady Jill Biden (2nd R), daughter Ashley Biden (R) and granddaughters Finnegan Biden (L) and Naomi Biden watch fireworks from the White House during Independence Day celebrations in Washington, DC
US President Joe Biden (2nd L), First Lady Jill Biden (L) and granddaughters Finnegan Biden (2nd R) and Naomi Biden watch fireworks from a balcony of the White House during Independence Day celebrations
Noting the lockdowns that shuttered businesses, put millions out of work and separated untold numbers of families, Biden said: ‘Today we’re closer than ever to declaring our independence from a deadly virus. That’s not to say the battle against COVID-19 is over. We’ve got a lot more work to do.’
Biden wanted all Americans to celebrate, too, after enduring 16 months of disruption in the pandemic and more than 605,000 deaths.
The White House encouraged gatherings and fireworks displays all around the country to mark – as though ripped from a Hollywood script – the nation’s ‘independence’ from the virus.
Fireworks illuminate the sky above the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall during Independence Day celebrations
People enjoy the fireworks as they gather for the annual Independence Day celebration at the National Mall in Washington
US President Joe Biden (2nd L), First Lady Jill Biden (3rd L), daughter Ashley Biden (2nd R) and granddaughters Finnegan Biden (L), Naomi Biden (3rd R) and Maisy Biden (R) watch fireworks from the White House
One of the biggest pyrotechnic shows in the country blasted off over the National Mall in Washington
President Joe Biden poses for a photo with granddaughter Finnegan Biden, from left, first lady Jill Biden, granddaughter Naomi Biden and daughter Ashley Biden as they view fireworks during an Independence Day celebration
The Biden’s grandchildren had some fun taking selfies as they stood on the balcony at the White House on Sunday evening
Visitors watch the Independence Day fireworks display near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall with many grabbing their cell phones to watch the display again later on through pictures and video
The President and his granddaughters looked impressed with the display that had been laid on for the nation’s capitol
The first family watched fireworks on the National Mall from the Truman balcony of the White House
Fireworks go off over the National Mall as people celebrate America’s 245th Independence Day in Arlington, Virginia with a superb view of the National Mall
Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden wave next to granddaughters Finnegan Biden (2nd R) and Naomi Biden as they watch fireworks from a balcony at the White House
Red, white and blue fireworks filled the skies over the East River of Manhattan
Spectators watch as fireworks are launched over the East River and the Empire State Building
Spectators watch from the Queens borough of New York as fireworks are launched over the East River and the Empire State Building
Spectators watch as fireworks are launched over the East River and the Empire State Building
People watch as fireworks are launched from the Empire State Building as part of the annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
Fireworks explode over the Empire State Building and the Manhattan skyline during the biggest display in New York’s history
The New York City display also saw fireworks launched from the top of the Empire State Building with the organizers saying the display was to ‘pay tribute to everyday heroes’.
At the display’s most spectacular moment, thousands of golden-hued shells created a dramatic cascade effect 1,000-feet in the air and more than a mile wide across the East River.
Lighting up the night’s sky not only delights crowds but restore a lifelines this year for the businesses that supply the 16,000 July Fourth fireworks displays that typically occur in cities and towns across the country. Last year, only a few went on with the show.
The Macy’s fireworks spectacular is seen on Sunday night in New York City
This year’s celebration was larger and longer, running at 25 minutes
The Washington Monument was bathed in fireworks of all shapes and sizes on Sunday night
Both the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial can be seen clearly as fireworks rain down on both landmarks
The South Portico of the White House is illuminated with the colors of the US national flag during a celebration of Independence Day
The Capitol can be seen with fireworks blasting off around it
Television cameras managed to capture the majesty of the occasion
Shots from a nearby helicopter gave another perspective of the impressive fireworks display
A couple hugs as visitors wait prior to watching the Independence Day fireworks display near the Lincoln Memorial
People await the firework show in front of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in celebration of Independence Day
Gilbert Rodriguez, 6, from Long Beach, California; holds the US national flag on his father Eddie Rodriguez’s shoulders as US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the South Lawn of the White House
People gather for the annual Independence Day fireworks celebration at the National Mall in Washington
People wear US flag-themed hats as visitors arrive prior to watching the Independence Day fireworks display near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall
President Joe Biden speaks during a Fourth of July BBQ event to celebrate Independence Day at the South Lawn of the White House July
Guests listen to U.S. President Joe Biden’s remarks during a Fourth of July BBQ event to celebrate Independence Day
People gather for the annual Independence Day fireworks celebration at the National Mall in Washington
Spectators wait for the 45th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks display overlooking the Manhattan skyline at Gantry State Plaza in Long Island City
A woman gives a ‘thumbs up’ while waiting for New York’s fireworks on Sunday which was slated to be larger and longer, running at 25 minutes. Last year’s fireworks display was spread over four nights and multiple boroughs in an effort to limit gatherings and slow the spread of COVID-19
: Water show displayed as people are gathered in Long Island City to watch Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
A view of the ‘Manhattanhenge’ sunset as people are gathered in Long Island City to watch the display
A view of the ‘Manhattanhenge’ sunset could be seen on Sunday night before the fireworks display
Helicopters fly over the sky as people are gathered in Long Island City
A water show is displayed as people are gathered in Long Island City to watch the fireworks
People are pictured gathered in Long Island City along the banks of the East River to watch the spectacular display
Gary Sousa, show designer, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks poses as more than 65,000 shells and effects are prepared for the nation’s largest Independence Day Celebration
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks take shape as more than 65,000 shells and effects are prepared for the nation’s largest Independence Day Celebration
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks take shape as more than 65,000 shells and effects are prepared for the nation’s largest Independence Day Celebration
A sign warning people to stay away as Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks take shape prior to Sunday night’s celebration