The United States celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a series of events across the country, including a Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display in New York City. The show was moved to 9 p.m. to avoid thunderstorms, according to The Independent.

Brooklyn Bridge Fire During Fireworks Display

During the fireworks show. Images and videos on social media showed flames and smoke billowing from the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge, and According to The Independent, the fires appeared to be caused by fireworks. The New York Post reported that the fires were quickly extinguished, but the extent of the damage was still unclear; BILD confirmed that the fire was not part of the planned show and was likely caused by rockets launched from multiple points on the bridge. The fire was reported around 9:30 p.m. and was extinguished shortly after 10 p.m., according to BILD.

Unplanned Evacuations and Trump’s Speech

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., organizers evacuated the National Mall due to a weather alert — Tens of thousands of people gathered near the White House and the National Mall, many in red, white, and blue clothing, as reported by Watson. Some found shelter in nearby museums or cafes — President Donald Trump delivered an address at a later time than originally planned, according to The Independent. In his speech. He emphasized the nation’s role as a global leader and avoided his usual criticism of the media, as noted by Watson.

Brooklyn Bridge’s Historical Significance and New Plaza

The Brooklyn Bridge, a landmark in New York City, is not only a modern marvel but also a historic symbol of American engineering. Emily Warren Roebling, the woman behind the bridge’s completion, was honored with a new plaza in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Opened on December 9, 2021, the plaza is named after Emily Warren Roebling, who managed the bridge’s construction after her husband’s death, according to NYCultureBeat. The plaza cost $8 million to build and connects the park with Empire Fulton Plaza in DUMBO, according to NYCultureBeat.

Recently, the bridge was also used as a backdrop for a large drone show featuring the K-pop group BTS, according to HelloT. On July 18, 500 drones formed images related to BTS’s new album above the bridge. A follow-up show on July 20 featured 2,000 drones creating visuals of the band members at Seoul’s Toegye Han River Park, according to HelloT. The drones used in the show were the company’s flagship swarm model, and the event showcased their advanced control and simulation capabilities, according to HelloT.