It’s America’s birthday, and what better place to celebrate than in the nation’s capital?
Traditional, in-person festivities returned for the first time since before the pandemic, promising a patriotic display worth cheering for on the National Mall.
The high temperatures early in the day didn’t keep crowds away, and eventually things cooled off, leading into a pleasant evening full of families and fireworks.
Dave Evans and his family visited D.C. from North Carolina, and before enjoying the show, they took a moment to appreciate the USA. They said coming from a military family "makes you appreciate it, appreciate our freedom."
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They aren’t alone. Hundreds of thousands of people were expected to visit the District for Independence Day.
The Southland Baptist Church student choir from San Angelo, Texas, treated News4 to a song before the show in the sky.
“Just so enjoyable. [For] many of us, [it’s] our very first time to be here in D.C. on the Fourth, so just wonderful to see the history and celebrate with everyone here,” their conductor, Tim Lyles, said.
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Looking around at the diverse crowd, people seemed to be in agreement that there’s just something special about the Fourth of July in D.C.
“People! The environment, the energy," a man enjoying the festivities said. "That’s what makes it better than anywhere else."
