Here is the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s speech to the National Constitution Center, livestreamed from the Vatican on July 3 for his acceptance of the Liberty Medal. The Inquirer’s coverage of the event can be found here.
Thank you very much.
Dear friends,
I am honored to accept the Liberty Medal of the National Constitution Center in this year that marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America with the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. On the eve of this momentous occasion, I offer a warm greeting to all those assembled at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. As a son of this great country, founded by courageous men and women who dreamed of liberty and of a better life for themselves and for their children, I join you in asking God’s blessings upon America’s future, that the lofty ideals enshrined at the beginning of the Declaration of Independence may continue to guide the flourishing of the nation in unity, justice and peace.
From our youth, most of us have admired the eloquence of those words, with their resounding appeal to the law of nature and to nature’s God as the basis of their assertion that all men and women are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, including the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. While couched in the language of the Enlightenment, that claim is ultimately grounded in an understanding of the human person inspired by the great biblical vision of man and woman being created in the divine image. It is indeed here that we discover the basis of human dignity; dignity which precedes the establishment of any state, and whose custody constitutes its very purpose.
In these past 250 years, for so many peoples throughout the world, it was the firm resolve to achieve the noble vision of the nation’s founders that made America a byword for freedom, as the country opened its doors to successive waves of immigrants, enabling them and their children to play their part in shaping the future of the nation. It was this same love of freedom that inspired the United States, in the darkest hours of the last century, at the time of the two world wars, to look beyond itself and, at great sacrifice, to champion the cause of freedom beyond its own borders.
As every American knows, however, the path to building a society that would embody those high ideals of liberty and justice for all was not always easy and, in many respects, is still a work in progress. Indeed, the effort to realize this vision is one that must be taken up anew in each generation and in the face of ever new challenges. Today, as we look to the future, this historic anniversary presents us with the opportunity to reflect once again on the nation’s founding principles in the hope that America will remain ever true to the dream that has earned it the title of land of the free and home of the brave.
The first right enshrined by the nation’s founders was the right to life, for no one who is deprived of life can enjoy liberty or pursue happiness. A country’s vitality is deeply tied to the value it affords to human life in every form and condition, acknowledging the dignity endowed upon every human person by virtue of their very existence. The inherent worth of every human life has led the noble hearts of generations to praise the marvelous works of the Creator and stand in reverence before so precious a gift. Indeed, it is precisely this reverence that we must continue to cultivate — one that sways the hearts of individuals and inspires laws that recognize and safeguard this gift from the moment of conception to natural death. Reverence, too, will aid us in discovering that we are guardians and stewards of those entrusted to our care. In this regard, the moral greatness of a nation is manifested, above all, in its capacity to support, protect and cherish the lives of all, especially the most vulnerable and those whose worth is questioned.
Following the right to life, liberty was and is preeminent among the principles revered by the men and women who have sought within this nation’s borders a new beginning, often equating it with previously undreamed-of hope. Though frequently understood as the ability to act as one would like, authentic freedom runs much deeper. It is founded upon the human person’s capacity to know the truth and adhere to what is good, even at great cost — a sacrifice well known to many who have labored to shape this country. The desire for truth and freedom, as well as the very pursuit of happiness, continues to inspire people of all generations to ask fundamental questions regarding the meaning of life, our ultimate purpose, and indeed about God, and it is proper for magnanimous hearts to endeavor to answer these questions with sincerity. These answers inevitably determine the direction which we seek to give to our lives, and America has long championed the religious freedom necessary to follow responsibly the dictates of conscience in this regard, free from fear and coercion, as enshrined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
It is this freedom that holds sacred the inner sphere of the person where convictions are formed and where conscience can guide the decisions made in the intimacy of the human heart. This same freedom also ensures the right of every person to worship according to one’s own belief, and of individuals, communities and associations to give public expression to their faith. In fact, religious freedom gave rise to the American tradition of allowing for interfaith dialogue and interreligious cooperation in promoting the public good and enriching the debates on the great moral and ethical issues that have faced the nation and shaped the course of its history. It is my hope that this tradition will continue to bear fruit in a public discourse marked by moderation, respect for the views of others and an ongoing effort to find common ground in promoting the cause of peace and reconciliation, at home and abroad.
The forbearers of this country, men and women of diverse backgrounds, religions and languages, were able to find that common ground and the strength necessary to pursue a better future. The principles that inspired America’s founders, rooted as they are in the truth of the human person, brought them together in a single cause, a common dream. Unity lent strength to that dream, giving rise, under God, to the United States of America. E pluribus unum — out of many, one. In order for a nation to flourish, it must be truly united; united not by goals bound to momentary endeavors, but by ideals that do not fade with the passing of time. May the principles we have reflected upon today — a shared human dignity, equality and the rights laid out in the Declaration of Independence — ever be a source of such unity and a guiding light for the present moment and the years to come.
In accepting this award, I therefore pray that this, the 250th anniversary of the founding of this great nation, may be the occasion of a solemn recommitment to these ideals that have made America a country that values peace and prosperity, a country characterized by generosity and nobility of heart. I commend all of you, as well as the future of the nation, to the One who is himself the source of true freedom and lasting peace, the One whose very name is Peace.
Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert have agreed to sign two-way contracts with the 76ers, a source confirmed to The Inquirer on Friday.
Love, an explosive scoring guard, averaged 10.4 points on 38.8% shooting in 49 games as a rookie last season on a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. He attempted six three-pointers per appearance, a potential boost for a Sixers team that struggled from beyond the arc last season.
Love played four years of college basketball at North Carolina and Arizona, then went undrafted last summer.
Rupert, a 6-foot-7 wing with excellent length, has played in 155 games across three NBA seasons with the Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies. The 22-year-old averaged 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 16 games for a “tanking” Grizzlies team late last season, including a 14-point effort on 6-of-9 shooting in a March loss at the Sixers.
Rupert, who is from Strasbourg, France, was a second-round draft pick in 2023. He played professionally in his home country and for the New Zealand Breakers before making the jump to the NBA. His sister, Iliana, plays for the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries and his father, Thierry, played in the EuroLeague and for the French national team.
These are the Sixers’ first two-way signings this offseason. They have found success with such contracts in the recent past, with Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker, and Dalen Terry getting converted to standard deals by the end of last season.
Jaws dropped and eyes widened on Thursday evening at the FIFA Fan Fest when a 9-year-old’s broken arm secured his family tickets to Saturday’s World Cup game in South Philly.
Ben Snyder, of Villanova, was just trying to go play with his neighbor when, the day before summer break, he fell hopping over a fence and broke his elbow. The injury required surgery and weeks in a cast. Crushed that he had to miss out on soccer camp and a summer full of playing his favorite game, his mother, Carrie Snyder, stepped in.
“I sent a very heartfelt, random email one day after coming home from the hospital with Ben,” Carrie Snyder said. “Unbelievably, it was responded to. Ben loves soccer and FIFA, and watching the World Cup every day was the only thing that really got him out of bed in the morning. We didn’t expect any of this, so for Ben to have some light this summer is really amazing.”
“I’m shocked. I can’t believe it,” Ben Snyder said after being surprised with tickets for Saturday’s game, in which France will face Paraguay at Philadelphia Stadium (aka Lincoln Financial Field). Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. (Fox29).
Snyder said he’s been playing soccer for as long as he can remember. His older brothers, Will, 15, and Charlie, 13, also are soccer players. Their backyard even is outfitted with goals at each end so they can play year-round. Despite being the youngest, the Snyder boys agree that Ben is the biggest soccer fan of them all.
“Because of the broken arm, he’s kind of been glued to the couch,” Will Snyder said. “He’s been watching all the games, and he has a board set up in the family room with a bracket and everything. It’s easy to tell he’s hooked.”
Paraguay’s Gustavo Gomez celebrates after upsetting Germany in the World Cup’s round of 32 on June 29 in Foxborough, Mass.
Ben Snyder’s love for the game runs deep. He’s dressed as soccer players for Halloween nearly every year and has become a World Cup enthusiast. He can name every tournament winner dating back to 1930 and correctly identified Uruguay as the inaugural champion. For this World Cup, though, he is hoping the United States pulls through.
“My favorite player is Gio Reyna,” he said. “I think they could definitely become a dominating team. The U.S. is playing really well right now. They did good in the group stage, and I’m proud of how they’ve played so far.”
That passion and knowledge caught the attention of the team at Philadelphia Soccer, which wanted to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“We got this really nice note that was just asking if we could help cheer Ben up,” said Meg Kane, host city executive and CEO for Philadelphia Soccer 2026. “I don’t think they ever expected that their brother’s broken arm was going to lead to them going to the FIFA World Cup, but to see Ben’s face light up in such shock and delight is a memory for all of us and, I hope, creates a core memory for their family.”
It will be a long road to recovery, but the family hopes Ben will get his first cast off in a couple of weeks. Until then, the Radnor Soccer Club player will be watching every game. But seeing one live, he said, is an experience he’ll never forget.
“Never in a million years did we expect this,” Carrie Snyder said. “This is a big deal for our family. I think Ben’s in shock.”
While some Facebook users understood the expected over 100 degree weather could put people at risk, others felt strongly about the lack of celebration.
“What a disappointment for not only those of us who had hoped to watch, but also for the bands and other marchers who have come from all across the U.S.” one user commented. ”I get it — no one wants the liability. But are we just going to cancel everything?”
Another added, “It’s the 250th in the Birthplace of Freedom, and we’re just canceling parades because it’s warm,” leaving people to argue and point out that it wasn’t simply a warm day in Philadelphia, but a dangerous heat advisory.
Friday’s high is expected to break records in Philadelphia, with the anticipated minimum high of 104 last met in 1966 — when the nation was a mere 190 years old.
Experts say this is different and riskier than warm days in past Julys.
Over the past 85 years, Julys in Philadelphia are running on average 4.4 degrees warmer than in 1940, based on an analysis of historical weather data. That translates to an increase of about 0.52 degrees per decade.
The city on Tuesday declared a “heat health emergency” in effect from 1 p.m. Wednesday through 8 p.m. Saturday. Across the Northeast, outdoor events are being rescheduled or canceled, citing the heat. Those events range from other America 250 events to local farmers’ markets.
Friday’s parade would have featured elaborate, giant floats paying tribute to America, including larger-than-life recreations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman, a peace dove, and a Liberty Bell.
Inquirer staff writer Anthony R. Wood contributed to this report.
Impromptu pageantry replaced Philly’s official parade as extreme heat mars the nation’s 250th
Historical interpreter for the American Revolution Diane Jost with the Sudbury (Mass.) Companies of Militia & Minute, walks with members of the Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos, dancers fro a Mexican cultural organization in Indianapolis, Ind. as groups not marching mingle on Independence Mall as Philadelphia celebrates America’s 250th birthday Friday, July 3, 2026 even after the Wawa Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade was canceled amid a declared heat emergency with 100-degree temperatures.
The eve of the United States’ 250th birthday in Philadelphia was less celebration and more chagrin, as oppressive heat left swaths of tourists and revelers in an aimless search of pomp and circumstance.
On Friday, Wawa’s Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade was canceled because of 100-plus-degree temperatures and aperilous heat index. It was one of numerous events called off or shortened this holiday weekend, as the scorching weather has thwarted events across the region, and potential storms could impact more.
The cancellation left scores of sweat-soaked performers, musicians, and historical reenactors in wool garb stranded near Independence Hall and around Center City. There might not have been the sort of “shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations” that John Adams prophesied in a July 3, 1776, letter to his wife, but there was still an air of importance — and some impromptu pageantry.
“We won’t be around for the 300th, so we really wanted to come for the 250th,” said war re-enactor Kathy Touzjian, 61. Touzjian and Laurie Pelletier were among a 75-person Massachusetts Army of 1775 troupe, who traveled six hours by bus to be in Friday’s parade.
“At least we still have cheesesteaks,” Touzjian said.
To the pair, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the fledgling country’s split from Great Britain felt different — and not just because of the heat. Now more than ever, Pelletier said, it was important to return to the country’s bedrock: liberty and independence for all.
“Today is still special,” saidPelletier, 60. “It’s a chance to recognize what our ancestors gave us, because the world is falling apart and this brings people together.”
No agreement between IBEW Local 614 and Peco as midnight strike looms
With no agreement between Peco and the union and negotations coming down to the wire, leaders from IBEW Local 614, Peco’s workers union, said members would walk off the job and begin a strike at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
“We have marginally made some progress,” IBEW Local 614 president Larry Anastasi said at a Friday night news conference. “However, nothing close to a settlement has been reached.”
Stuart Davidson, the union’s general counsel, said IBEW Local 614 would continue negotiations with Peco until the deadline at midnight. But if no contract agreement could be reached by that time, workers would begin a strike.
“We are determined to find a solution to this problem,” Davidson said. “We understand how serious a strike will be for the communities that we serve, as well as our members.”
Union members are seeking better wages and healthcare benefits, as well as a uniform retirement plan for all members. Their previous contract expired on March 31, and wages and benefits have been a sticking point throughout negotiations.
If the strike happens, it would be a first for Peco. Candice Womer, Peco’s spokesperson, earlier this week said that weather conditions have not played into the bargaining process, and the energy provider proposed a nearly 20% increase in wages over five years, as well as improved benefits.
The company has also said that should a strike occur, customers should not expect service delays or interruptions, as Peco has “comprehensive contingency plans in place.”
The potential strike comes as the Philadelphia region remains under a heat wave that has pushed temperatures up to or just past 100 degrees, with possible thunderstorms on Saturday. Many of the union’s 1,500 members repair outages, which can happen during extreme weather.
“The system that we work on is in disrepair and takes constant maintenance and repair,” Anastasi said Friday. “And if we’re not around during good conditions, it’s difficult.”
Thousands gather for Philly Pops concert on Independence Mall
With Independence Hall as a backdrop, thousands gathered Friday evening to hear the Philly Pops as part of Philadelphia’s celebration of the nation’s 250th. While the heat led to the cancellation of other events during the day, the temperature by 8 p.m. had fallen to a pleasant 89 degrees, and the orchestra played on.
“Tonight we celebrate with one of our most universal languages — music,” Steven Sims, superintendent of Independence National Historical Park, told the audience stretched out on Independence Mall. “There is something especially fitting about gathering here, surrounded by the places where the nation was born.”
Music, he said, “has always brought people together.”
Last year’s Pops on Independence concert was cut short by rain. Friday night, the sky held dark clouds and some lightning flashes, but as of 8:45 was rain-free as the audience roared with the appearance of actress and singer Idina Menzel.
About an hour into the concert, with the lightning continuing, Menzel bid the crowd goodnight. Concerned by possible heavy weather, organizers ended the concert early with several more scheduled pieces to go, a Pops spokesperson said. A Wawa Welcome America spokesperson estimated a crowd of about 12,000 was on hand.
Ben Franklin look-alike contest crowd demands an encore: ‘One more Ben!’
Kiya Burgess, of Philadelphia, wins the Ben Franklin look-alike contest that was held behind the President’s House on Independence Mall on Friday.
At the Benjamin Franklin look-alike contest at Independence Hall, which was supposed to end early, the crowd enthusiastically shouted, “One more Ben, one more Ben.” Latecomers — men and women dressed like the famed Founding Father — walked through the crowd to the front. It wasn’t a catwalk, per se, but the Franklin stroll.
Elena Jackendoff, 32, a student at Johns Hopkins University studying public health, organized the event.
“You have to make the event you want to see in the world,” she said.
She organized the event on a lark, making the flyers after her last final exam and pasting them across the city. She expected to see a few of her friends, not hundreds of people.
Many of the Franklins — like Kara Peterschmidt, 25, Kyra Feinauer, 25, and Lauren Zwetzig, 24 — didn’t even have to go out to buy a costume. The friend group had hosted a Constitution-themed housewarming a while back and came dressed in the same white whigs and tops. Asked about the truest Ben Franklin expression, Peterschmidt said, “It’s definitely a mog.”
Despite possible storms, holiday World Cup game still on
A break in the intense heat that has blanketed the region could arrive with a chance of thunderstorms on Saturday evening, but according to a FIFA official, as of now, there are no plans to modify the start of Saturday’s round-of-16 World Cup match between France and Paraguay.
Gates are scheduled to open at 2 p.m. for the 5 p.m. kickoff. Storms are forecast to potentially hit the region sometime in the evening. However, with the unpredictability of these summer storms, FIFA has taken steps to help fans deal with the intense heat, but as of now appear to be playing it by ear as they keep an eye on the forecast.
Coincidentally, the last time France played in Philadelphia, on June 22 against Iraq, that match was subjected to a two-hour, 10-minute rain delay because of a torrential downpour that covered the region, sending two intense bands of rain, wind, and thunder over Philadelphia Stadium.
Tips for making it through a scorching 4th of July
With another scorcher on tap for July Fourth, here are some tips for surviving the heat.
Avoid activity in the peak heat of the day and stay hydrated, said Jonathan Bar, director of emergency preparedness at the University of Pennsylvania’s department of emergency medicine.
“The best way to know if you are hydrated is to monitor your pee,” he said. “No urine or very dark is a sign of dehydration.”
Water is good for hydration, but for prolonged exertion or spending more than an hour in the extreme heat, it’s better to add a drink with electrolytes, like a commercial sports drink, he said.
Check on the very young and very old because they are the most susceptible to heat-related issues, Bar said.
“If you are feeling overheated, seek shade or move into AC,” he said.
‘Take care of one another’: Arizona high school band finds lessons amid parade cancellation
The teens of Sahuarita High School’s marching band came a long way from their Arizona homes to not be allowed to perform at the Semiquincentennial parade because of the heat. Still, it taught them a valuable lesson about being an American, said band director Ben Garland.
“An American value is community,” Garland said, surrounded by his 87 students at Reading Terminal Market. “We should do our best to take care of one another even if we have different ideas or values, and that’s what the city did.”
Despite the cancellation, Garland praised Philadelphia authorities and organizers for still making parade participants feel part of the 250th celebrations by letting them perform in different areas of Old City.
“Most of my students have never even been on a plane before and coming here was their opportunity to see the East Coast and engage with history they wouldn’t see otherwise,” he said. “For us, the trip was worth it for what they have been able to learn and the camaraderie they have built here.”
Reading Terminal Market bustling amid 250th celebrations: ‘This is the corner to be’
Although Reading Terminal Market historically closes on the Fourth of July, it’s open and bustling for the United States’ 250th birthday.
“This is the corner to be,” said Dina Pretti, who just ordered an iced coffee from Old City Coffee (the best in the city, she says) and pointed toward Famous 4th Street Cookies (also the best in the city, she says). This Fourth of July feels especially exciting. Although she usually leaves the city, she wanted to stay for the World Cup fan festival and the holiday celebrations.
Charles Shipper, who works at Contessa’s French Linens, said he usually gets irritated when he has to walk what feels like half a mile through Reading Terminal to find a coffee. This year, with the influx of tourists for the World Cup, he has come to appreciate the space through visitors’ eyes.
“The size, the fact that it’s air-conditioned,” now seems amazing, he said.
The shop has almost sold out of its America 250 towels, designed and created by Garnier Thiebaut, a French linen company. The design is a small testament to the historic relationship between France and the United States.
Costumed Yorkies celebrate at Liberty Bell despite cancellations
Lori Ney, of Wynnewood, with Yorkie poodles Ella and Eva at the Liberty Bell on Friday in Philadelphia.
At Lori Ney’s home, humans weren’t the only ones whose Fourth of July plans changed. Yorkie poodles Ella and Eva were left with their costumes on waiting for a celebration.
“We knew it was canceled, but we still wanted to come to see what else was happening,” said Nay, 60. “We wanted to be part of history.”
Without a fixed plan, but wanting to celebrate her country, Nay packed up her pups, a couple of cooling pads, and a stroller, and drove from Wynnewood to the Liberty Bell.
“This year feels different,” Nay said, as people approached to take photos of her pups and their holiday attire. “ A lot of events were canceled, but as Americans, we are making the best of it.”
The trio planned on remaining in the city for the Philly Pops concert, and coming back Saturday for the Fourth of July celebrations.
“I know it’s hot, but it’s important to celebrate that we live in the best country in the world no matter who the president is,” Nay said. “We have flaws and we need to do better, but it’s wonderful to be here.”
As of 4:08 p.m., Friday’s Philly Pops concert on Independence Mall is on, a Wawa Welcome America spokesperson said. A later start time of 8 p.m. was announced for the concert earlier this week.
Philly’s hottest space is Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Square
Danny Yarnall (right) and Ray Rodriguez cool off Friday beside the Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Square, a popular spot where Philadelphia residents seek relief from the summer heat. City officials canceled the Wawa Welcome America Salute to Independence Parade, part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations as an extreme heat warning remained in effect.
It’s hot enough to see the shimmer of heat on the asphalt of Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Although most rush from museums to other scraps of shade, some pouring water down the backs of their necks, a large, happy crowd gathers in the fountain of Logan Square.
Dozens of children and their families swim through the streams of water. More and more join in as the sun blares down intensely on this spacious, elegant boulevard.
At the President’s House on Friday, a man taped sheets of paper to the wall where the exhibits were previously on display.
The papers said: “Trump has hidden the main info panels of this exhibit since January.”
The man, who declined to be named citing fear of retaliation, accused President Donald Trump’s “authoritarian administration” of “neglecting to tell the story of those who actually fought for the liberties and freedoms we all celebrate.”
Susan Lemonick, 66, of Old City, wasn’t in a festive mood for the nation’s 250th, either.
“What we are right now is not something to celebrate, in my opinion,” she said, adding that the censorship at the President’s House was with the goal of having “a white nationalist country.”
Lemonick is a volunteer with Old City Remembers, a group that takes shifts standing at President’s House reading text from the removed panels in an effort to “bear witness to the history of slavery in our nation.”
Allison Utain and her husband came to the Philadelphia Museum of Art after the parade was canceled. There, they say, they came across a form of patriotism no less festive than what they were hoping to find outside.
“You see a culmination of so many cultures that make the tapestry of what American is … Far from perfect, but it’s great,” Utain said. “The museum is a great snapshot, not only of American artists but artists around the world.”
In the cool, long hallways of the museum, visitors can take the “A Nation of Artists” tour, which showcases Charles Willson Peale’s “Washington at Princeton,” often considered the best portraiture artist of his time, and other celebrated painters like Henry Ossawa Tanner. Tanner’s “Annunciation” is hung in the museum. He was an African American painter whose mother escaped slavery in 1859. Tanner grew up in Philadelphia and attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Asian American Dragon Lion Dance outside Independence Hall today. “I feel immense pride to be able to show the love for our country,” said group founder Henry Lee. pic.twitter.com/2WLv1ErZej
The collegiate performers in Asian American Dragon & Lion Dance troupe, led by Henry Lee, performed Friday afternoon outside Independence Hall.
“I feel immense pride to be able to show the love for our country,” Lee said.
The group boasts more than 20 years of experience performing for audiences around the Northeast. They broke into dance, carrying the long puppet dragon to the pulsing beat of a drum.
Especially as the line to get inside Independence Hall continued to wind, visitors gathered around the pop-up performances, taking photos and videos.
‘At least we still have cheesesteaks,’ lament Massachusetts Army reenactors
Kathy Touzjian and her friend Laurie Pelletier were among 75 members of the Massachusetts Army of 1775 who rode on a bus for six hours to be in the parade Friday morning.
Two Massachusetts war reenactors sipped on iced coffee to cool off amid the heat wave, saddened that the Semiquincentennial Parade was called off.
“We won’t be around for the 300th, so we really wanted to come for the 250th,” said Kathy Touzjian, 61. “At least we still have cheesesteaks.”
Touzjian and her friend Laurie Pelletier were among 75 members of the Massachusetts Army of 1775 who rode on a bus for six hours tobe in the parade Friday morning.
The cancellation didn’t immediately send the performers home. Instead, the fife — a wooden instrument similar to a piccolo — players chose to stay for the day and perform through Old City.
“Today is still special,” said Pelletier, 60. “It’s a chance to recognize what our ancestors gave us, because the world is falling apart and this brings people together.”
To them, the 250th anniversary feels different, not just because of the heat, but because now more than ever, Pelletier said, it’s important to remember what the United States stands for: liberty and independence for all.
As the pair readied to head out and perform, fixing their three-layer historic attire, Touzjian hopes future generations learn from this celebration: “No matter how hot it is, do not cancel the 300th independence parade.”
A dance group from Indianapolis drove 10 hours and arrived in Philadelphia around 9 p.m. Thursday night, ready to perform in the city’s parade on Friday.
The heat dashed those plans, but that didn’t stop Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos from dancing outside Independence Hall Friday afternoon.
Their dance is inspired by an annual carnival in Veracruz, Mexico, said director Jesus Hernandez.
They perform every year at the Indianapolis 500, and were “very honored” to be invited to Philly, he said. Hernandez said the group was disappointed that the parade was canceled but added that they’ve still had a great experience. “I’m so grateful to be here,” said one of the dancers, Tiffany Castillo, 25.
The Texas Glammas, a group of older adults and seniors who dance with walkers, made the trip to Philadelphia for America 250 festivities.
Sporting pink wigs, white breeches and sequin vests, the Texas Glammas traveled from their home Lone Star State, to Philadelphia to dance in the parade.
The group of 23 ranges in age from 55 to 79. Their founder, Christina Rodriguez, said that the group started because they were “a group of women who just wanted to keep moving.”
Scenes from the cancellation of the parade, at Independence Hall, July 3, 2026.
The group has a flash mob interpretation of “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus planned for later Friday afternoon, which they planned to perform outside of Liberty Hall. It’s one of several impromptu pop-up performances taking place across the Historic District in light of the parade’s cancelation.
The walkers they use as part of their performance, which were decorated in patriotic tinsel, will be donated before they head to DC tomorrow for the city’s parade.
Trump administration gets final go-ahead from the courts to install its own exhibits at the President’s House
Visitors read the original panels at the President’s House Pa alongside unofficial signage where visitors are encouraged to write down their reactions regarding the missing panels.
A Philadelphia-based federal appeals court gave President Donald Trump’s administration the final go-ahead to install its own exhibit at the President’s House.
The new panels, which historians criticized for whitewashing George Washington’s role in enslaving nine people, have been manufactured and stand ready to install, the Justice Department told the court.
The procedural step, which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit took on an observed federal holiday, followed a Thursday request by Justice Department attorneys to allow the National Park Service to “begin work immediately and install its new exhibits.”
“The President’s House is an important national historical site, and the Government submits that the President’s House exhibits should be fully installed without further delay,” the government’s filing said.
The Department of the Interior did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker vowed to “pursue every legal action possible” in an effort to reverse last month’s Third Circuit ruling, which held the city has no rights over the President’s House.
Experts say none of the city’s appeal options are a slam dunk.
The city appealed quickly and asked the Third Circuit court to recall the Friday morning order, saying it didn’t have time to respond to the Justice Department’s Thursday request.
And while the federal government asked to install the exhibits “immediately,” the request did not identify a reason for the rush.
“That is not an emergency,” the city’s filing said, “it is a preference for speed.”
The city also repeated the argument, which found no purchase with the appellate judges so far, that allowing the Trump administration to install its own exhibit would cause the city and public irreparable harm.
The city’s motion does not automatically pause the court’s previous order.
The biggest question remaining is whether the Trump administration will attempt to install the panels during this historic July Fourth weekend marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Semiquincentennial parade acts will do pop-up performances across Old City
And, we’re pivoting!
Despite the Semiquincentennial Parade’s cancelation, some groups who have traveled far and wide to Philadelphia will get to perform anyway.
Organizers just announced that starting at noon and stretching across the day, marching bands, color guards, and dance troupes from across the country will do informal pop-up performances throughout the Historic District.
“The performances honor the commitment of the participating groups, many of whom traveled significant distances to be part of today’s celebration, while providing an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience the spirit of the Semiquincentennial festivities in a safe, flexible format,” organizers said in a statement. “Amenities including air conditioning, restrooms, and water are available to the public at Independence Visitor Center.”
The pop-up performances will take place at locations including:
Independence Visitor Center
Behind Independence Hall
City Tavern
Franklin Square
Liberty Garden
Betsy Ross House
Carpenters’ Hall
Outside the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Performers will include:
Alter High School Lancerettes and Sound Truck
Asian American Dragon and Lion with Cart
Ballet Mosaicos Dancers
Betsy Daily Dancers
Cheryl Chicken All American Performing Arts Center
Sights from Independence Mall: ‘I’m walking where the Founding Fathers were’
Large crowds walk along the sidewalk in front of Independence Mall during Philadelphia’s 250th anniversary celebrations on Friday.
Lines snake through the exterior courtyard of Independence Hall. Although entries have been paused as the building has surged at capacity, history buffs dressed in colonial costume — hats and wigs on, despite the heat —give mini lectures on the country’s founding.
“It feels important to follow the footsteps of our founding fathers these days,” says Alex Bergstedt, who travelled from Idaho with his wife. They came to Philadelphia because they “knew Fourth of July would be big.”
Nicholas Roth came to Philadelphia from upstate New York with two friends. The 26-year-old reflects, “I’m walking where the Founding Fathers were.”
Inside the National Constitution Center, Wilda and Thad Waites traveled from Hattiesburg, Miss., to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and hear from Pope Leo XIV.
“I’ve never seen such patriotism in one place,” said Thad Waites, 81, a cardiologist and sponsor of the National Constitution Center. “It’s been wonderful walking through the parks.”
The Waiteses didn’t mind the heat, either. In Mississippi, “We have the added humidity,” Wilda Waites said.
Andrew McLaughlin, 68, of West Chester, recently returned from a trip to Chicago. “The energy here compared to there is just incredible,” he said. “Everywhere you go you can just feel it.”
Ron Crofoot traveled to Philadelphia to be with his granddaughter as she was supposed to perform with her marching band at the parade. He says this Fourth of July made him reflect on when he celebrated America’s 200th birthday.
“I can picture myself in the fireworks 50 years ago; how quickly fifty years go by,” he said. “I won’t see the next. It gets more meaningful as you get older. You come to appreciate the uniqueness of the United States.”
Live from the Vatican, Pope Leo wears his Liberty Medal and addresses Philly crowd
Facing a screen showing the cheering Philadelphia audience, Pope Leo XIV wore his Liberty Medal along with his cross around his neck, live from the Vatican.
Leo, who grew up in Chicago and attended Villanova University, pointed to his roots in the United States.
“As a son of this great country, founded by courageous men and women who dreamed of liberty and of a better life for themselves and for their children, I join you in asking God’s blessings upon America’s future that the lofty ideals enshrined at the beginning of the Declaration of Independence may continue to guide the flourishing of the nation in unity, justice, and peace,” he said.
Ahead of the pope’s speech, the Constitution Center played video clips from a Philadelphia delegation’s April trip to the Vatican in which they presented Leo with the Liberty Medal — and some distinctly Philly gifts.
Those included Villanova swag and a Wawa tote bag — prompting a smile from Leo and applause from the audience in Philadelphia.
Pope Leo XIV nodded to his advocacy for humane treatment of immigrants, which he’s been particularly outspoken about given President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policies. Leo will visit a migration crossing in the Mediterranean Sea for Independence Day in lieu of coming to the United States.
“In these past 250 years, for so many peoples throughout the world, it was the firm resolve to achieve the noble vision of the nation’s founders that made America a byword for freedom, as the country opened its doors to successive waves of immigrants, enabling them and their children to play their part in shaping the future of the nation,” Leo said in his remarks.
He said that same “love of freedom” that inspired the nation “to look beyond itself and at great sacrifice to champion the cause of freedom beyond its own borders.”
The path to building a society that embodies such American ideals, he said, “was not always easy and, in many respects, is still a work in progress.”
Pope Leo XIV provided a message of unity in his remarks and called for a “recommitment” to the core beliefs behind the United States’ founding.
He said that to flourish, a country should be united by “ideals that do not fade with the passing of time.”
Leo, who has called for international peace and criticized President Donald Trump’s war in Iran, called on the country to recognize its values of “peace and prosperity, a country characterized by generosity and nobility of heart.”
He said the Declaration of Independence and the values of “shared human dignity” could help unite and guide the country.
Gov. Josh Shapiro and archbishop tout Pope Leo’s Philly ties
This video screen grab shows Pope Leo XIV wearing a Villanova hat gifted to him during a meeting with an Italian heritage group.
Pope Leo XIV’s ties to the Philadelphia area and Pennsylvania could not be ignored on Friday.
In his remarks, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro highlighted the history of the nation’s founding in Pennsylvania and said he was proud the pope was educated in the state.
Shapiro, a Democrat, said his own Jewish faith calls him to service, and to him, “it means that each of us has a responsibility to get off the sidelines.”
“I believe that work is needed, especially at this particular moment in time,” said Shapiro, a critic of President Donald Trump.
He said Leo has “exemplified that spirit of service” throughout his life, from Villanova to the Vatican.
Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez also highlighted the pope’s local ties while speaking.
“Philly is proud that the pope is a graduate of Villanova University,” he said. “Pope Leo knows us, and we feel like we know him too.”
Then known as Robert Francis Prevost, he began his academic journey at Villanova that would lead him to seminary, then priesthood, then through the ranks of the Catholic Church, ascending to cardinal and, this week, becoming Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States.
He went by “Bob” from Chicago in his college days and earned a bachelor of science in mathematics. He’s a confirmed Wildcats basketball fan.
Since taking on his new title, Pope Leo has continued to highlight his ties to the school, addressing Villanova’s Class of 2026 via video at their commencement ceremony.
“His influence, however, extends beyond Philadelphia,” the archbishop said.
The President’s House controversy mentioned at Pope Leo event
Rabbi Jill L. Maderer, of Congregation Rodeph Shalom, cited the nearby President’s House site, a federal park site that highlighted how President George Washington enslaved people, until President Donald Trump’s administration ordered much of the exhibit to be taken down. She was among Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faith leaders who spoke ahead of the pope’s speech.
Amid a legal fight between Philadelphia and the Trump administration, many of the walls of the President’s House site remain bare as tourists flood Independence Mall for the United States’ 250th anniversary. But protesters have hung up signs at the exhibit pointing people to news coverage and other information about the exhibit.
Maderer said Washington’s home, “where he enslaved human beings,” lay just west of the event. And to the east is a museum exhibit that has a letter from Washington to a Jewish community in 1790 assuring they would have religious liberty.
“Words that I pray are meant for all people,” she added.
Ahead of Pope Leo’s speech, city leaders gather for interfaith discussion
Gov. Josh Shapiro, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, and other interfaith religious leaders sat on stage ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s speech at the National Constitution Center.
Democrats Parker, a Baptist, and Shapiro, who is Jewish have each been outspoken about their own faiths.
“My faith has carried me through every season of my life, and serving as your 100th mayor has only strengthened my belief that we are strongest when we come together in service of something that is greater than ourselves,” Parker said in remarks ahead of the pope’s speech.
Pope Leo’s speech is to be broadcast against the backdrop of a 100-foot tablet of the First Amendment in the Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook at the National Constitution Center. The hall features flags from all 50 states. A giant American flag hangs from the 60-foot ceiling.
Hundreds of people gathered at the hall, many of them National Constitution Center sponsors, members, VIPs, and local religious leaders.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday rang a replica Liberty Bell outside with National Liberty Museum CEO Alaine K. Arnott and Lauren Sylling, the vice president of development at the National Constitution Center, as well as Sylling’s daughters.
“May the sound of this bell inspire all of us to continue building strong communities, serving one another with integrity, and ensuring the promises of liberty,” Sunday said.
Sunday, a Republican, said the country’s Constitution is the nation’s “instruction manual.”
Organizers say tomorrow’s One Philly: Unity Concert for America is still on
Jill Scott performs at The Met on March 16, 2023.
The city’s free major Fourth of July concert featuring Jill Scott, Christina Aguilera, The Roots, Will Smith, Freeway, and many more on Saturday is still a go.
That’s according to city organizers, who reiterated Friday that the event is rain-or-shine.
“The city is implementing water misting stations along the Ben Franklin Parkway, and there will be water refilling stations for anyone who needs one,” organizers told The Inquirer. “Fans are encouraged to bring a clear empty 20-ounce water bottle for refilling throughout the evening.”
Gates to the One Philly concert open at 3 p.m. Saturday and events conclude with a fireworks finale at 11:45 p.m. over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Watch Live: 2026 Liberty Medal Ceremony Honoring Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV will accept the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal on Friday, delivering remarks live from the Vatican that will be broadcast inside the Sixth and Arch building.
His speech will be particularly anticipated in Philadelphia given the Semiquincentennial and Leo’s deepties to the Philly area.
It’s not just Philly: Dozens of 250th events canceled due to heat wave
Event staff pack away floats that were to be part of an Independence Day parade, now cancelled due to extreme heat, in Philadelphia on Friday, July 3, 2026.
The major heat wave has certainly impacted events for the nation’s 250th anniversary locally, including today’s parade and yesterday’s Salute to Service concert with Queen Latifah.
But this isn’t just a Philly thing.
Dozens of parades, celebrations, and fireworks shows have been postponed, re-imagined, or cancelled entirely because of the dangerous heat conditions.
That’s according to Newsweek, which is keeping a list of the rolling cancellations, which stretch from Delaware to Southern Colorado so far.
The extreme weather is pushing temperatures of over 100 degrees across the Northeast throughout the long holiday weekend.
Gente de Venezuela president reflects on months of work leading up to parade
Alex Moreno woke up to a call from the Semiquincentennial Parade organizers early Friday, announcing the cancellation of the event.
As the president of Gente de Venezuela, Moreno was one of 50 people scheduled to march with the Venezuelan coalition in the celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
“We’re sad because it took months of hard work to set up the float, the attire, and schedule the guests from other cities to come,” Moreno said.
The group’s float featured a giant acoustic guitar in the colors of the Venezuelan flag alongside pink and orange flowers.
Gente de Venezuela has been working with neighboring coalitions on their float since late last year. Venezuelan dancers and singers from D.C., Atlantic City, and Wilmington were scheduled to travel to Philadelphia to join the non-profit in the parade.
“I managed to call them right before they began their travels,” Moreno said.
The sadness doubled for Gente de Venezuela as they saw the parade a way to honor both the country that has become their home and the workers in Venezuela currently rescuing people from under the rubble after the two earthquakes that ravaged the country.
“The cancellation is a reminder that life is more important,” Moreno said. “Heat can have consequences even worse than just feeling sad, and safeguarding people’s health is very important.”
No parade, but floats and reenactors roll on through historic district
With the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade cancelled, Floats are parked near Independence Mall, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Philadelphia.
While the formal Salute to Independence Parade was canceled citing the extreme temperatures, spectators were still catching a glimpse of the floats before they retire.
On Friday morning, the larger-than-life elaborate floats could be seen proceeding down Arch and Fifth Streets, then to Chestnut Street.
The floats were anticipated to make a pit stop in front of Independence Mall this morning in lieu of their big route.
With the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade cancelled reenactors gather near Independence Hall, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Philadelphia.
Dressed in Revolutionary War regalia, reenactors hoisted musical instruments and flags across Liberty Bell Pavilion for a bit of an impromptu parade.
Pope Leo XIV leaves after a Mass where he conferred the pallium on newly appointed metropolitan archbishops, in St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, last month.
Pope Leo XIV is being honored for “his commitment to religious liberty and freedom of conscience,” so he’ll likely speak on those themes, Julie Silverbrook, the chief content and learning officer for the National Constitution Center, said in an interview Friday morning ahead of his speech.
What does that mean, anyway?
The freedom of conscience, she said, is the right to “believe, think, feel, of every human being.”
“The ability to think freely for oneself,” she added.
She also said he’ll likely provide reflections on the significance of the Declaration of Independence given that it’s the eve of America’s 250th anniversary.
The pope was shaped both by the values of the United States and of Philadelphia as a former Villanova student, Silverbrook added.
In her eyes, the pope’s message will resonate regardless of people’s faiths or if they have no faith at all. She said he is “a global leader who has been uniquely shaped by American ideals and who is now reflecting those ideals across the world.”
Record warmth and showers now ‘likely’ Saturday night
A pedestrian shields from the sun with an umbrella resembling the American flag during an extreme heat wave on Friday, July 3, 2026, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia officials canceled the Wawa Welcome America Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade because of an Extreme Heat Warning, but visitors continued to gather in the historic district.
The day after tying a record high for the date, 103, the temperature didn’t get below 82 overnight, which would be a record-high minimum temperature for July 3 if it holds until midnight.
An encore is expected Saturday morning. (We will eschew saying “hotter than a firecracker.”)
The record for both dates is 77 and 79, respectively.
Saturday may be more problematic, but for a record-high minimum and maximum, 104 as thunderstorms knock down the temperatures late in the day or at night.
The National Weather Service this morning upped the probability of showers during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 showdown between Paraguay and France and Wawa Welcome American festivities to 60%
‘Heartbreaking for all of us’: Read Welcome America CEO’s letter to parade participants this morning about the cancellation
In a letter sent Friday morning to parade participants, Welcome America, Inc. President and CEO Michael DelBene wrote that he was saddened by the decision to cancel the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade, but it came down to safety.
“If we can’t do it safely, we simply won’t do it,” DelBene wrote.
DelBene said the decision was not reached by just parade organizers, but a mix of parade leadership, local offices, and agencies.
Participants were notified a little after 1 a.m. Organizers had already developed contingency plans for the parade, including a shorter route and earlier start time, but ultimately determined to cancel entirely for safety.
Fifty bands, 19 floats, and a mix of other cultural showcases were set to head down today’s parade route.
“On behalf of our entire team, I sincerely apologize for the devastating news just hours before the parade,” he said. “But I remain optimistic that we may someday be lucky enough to welcome you back to a future parade.”
Landon Shaw works on a float that will be in the Fourth of July the parade and festival, at the Convention Center in Philadelphia, June 29, 2026.
Here’s the full letter:
Dear Parade Participants,
My name is Michael DelBene and I am the President & CEO of Welcome America, Inc. I am writing to share the very difficult news that the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade scheduled for today in Philadelphia has been canceled due to the extreme heat in the forecast. Today’s temperatures are expected to be well over 100 degrees with heat indexes reaching over 110. As much as this decision pains everyone inside our organization, we simply cannot host an event of this size and scale under these conditions.
I cannot begin to express how sad I am having to make this decision. Todd Marcocci and Under the Sun Productions have been working tirelessly with each of you to design something truly historic, and having to cancel it at the last minute is heartbreaking for all of us. Todd and his team at the Under the Sun did not make this decision, rather it resulted from a collaborative discussion among Welcome America leadership and the various Philadelphia offices and agencies tasked with public safety. While large-scale celebrations and community events may be our mission, our first responsibility will always be to the safety and security of our staff, our guests, and our event participants. If we can’t do it safely, we simply won’t do it.
I know how much time and effort you have invested to get here: the countless hours of rehearsal, travel time, and the financial burden of participating in this event. I am humbled by your commitment and remain in awe of your passion and dedication to your craft. On behalf of our entire team, I sincerely apologize for the devastating news just hours before the parade, but I remain optimistic that we may someday be lucky enough to welcome you back to a future parade.
Thank you again for your willingness to be part of our celebration. Safe travels and best of luck,
Michael
__________________________________________
Michael DelBene (he/him/his)
President & CEO
Welcome America, Inc.
// Timestamp 07/03/26 8:43am
National Weather Service: Extreme heat warning remains in effect
The National Weather Service doesn’t anticipate this extreme heat backing off for the sake of the Nation’s big birthday.
Sunny and hot, with a high near 104 and heat index values as high as 111, the Philadelphia region remains under two hazardous weather conditions, including an extreme heat advisory and an air quality alert, advising that pollution could affect people with respiratory and heart conditions.
The hope is that things temper down by tonight, with Idina Menzel’s Pops Orchestra appearance being pushed back an hour to 8 p.m. to accommodate the severe weather.
NWS expects mostly clear skies, a low of around 82 and the chance of isolated showers or thunderstorms before midnight.
The string of record-breaking high temperatures coincides with a slate of events and celebrations scheduled across town, including Fourth of July activities and a highly anticipated FIFA World Cup Round of 16 showdown between Paraguay and France.
FIFA Fan Festival in Lemon Hill, which has been hosting free watch parties since the start of the World Cup, announced shortened hours because of the heat.
On Saturday, the festival will open at noon for the 1 p.m. match between Canada and Morocco, then the grounds will close. The Philly match between Paraguay and France will not be broadcast at the festival.
The NWS recommends staying hydrated and out of the sun as much as possible and checking on relatives and neighbors. Young children, pets, and seniors are especially vulnerable.
The Semiquincentennial parade is canceled because of heat
Todd Marcocci (left) and Jeremy Williams work on a float back stage with the crews of the now-canceled Semiquincentennial parade.
Wawa’s Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade is canceled due to high temperatures, according to organizers.
The parade was set to start Friday at noon after a delay was already announced Thursday.
The Pops concert Friday night, featuring Idina Menzel, is still on, according to Wawa Welcome America. A later start time of 8 p.m. was announced earlier this week.
While some Facebook users understood the expected over-100-degree weather could put people at risk, others felt strongly about the lack of celebration.
“What a disappointment for not only those of us who had hoped to watch, but also for the bands and other marchers who have come from all across the U.S.,” one user commented. “I get it — no one wants the liability. But are we just going to cancel everything?”
Another added, “It’s the 250th in the Birthplace of Freedom, and we’re just canceling parades because it’s warm,” leaving people to argue and point out that it wasn’t simply a warm day in Philadelphia, but a dangerous heat advisory.
Friday’s high is expected to break records in Philadelphia, with the anticipated minimum high of 104 last met in 1966 — when the nation was a mere 190 years old.
Experts say this is different and riskier than warm days in past Julys.
Over the past 85 years, Julys in Philadelphia are running on average 4.4 degrees warmer than in 1940, based on an analysis of historical weather data. That translates to an increase of about 0.52 degrees per decade.
The city on Tuesday declared a “heat health emergency” in effect from 1 p.m. Wednesday through 8 p.m. Saturday. Across the Northeast, outdoor events are being rescheduled or canceled, citing the heat. Those events range from other America 250 events to local farmers’ markets.
Pope Leo XIV is speaking to the National Constitution Center live from the Vatican
Pope Leo XIV will accept the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal on Friday at 11 a.m., delivering remarks live from the Vatican that will be broadcast inside the Sixth and Arch building.
The U.S.-born pontiff’s speech is a major addition to Philadelphia’s already extensive lineup of activities and events on the eve of the United States’ 250th birthday on July Fourth.
His speech will be particularly anticipated in Philadelphia given the Semiquincentennial and Leo’s deepties to the Philly area.
The Catholic leader has garnered attention for clashing with President Donald Trump’s administration, which will be further exemplified by his visit with migrants on Independence Day.
His award acceptance speech also comes just two days after traditionalist Catholics in Switzerland defied him by consecrating bishops without his consent, which Leo called “a sin of extreme gravity,” the Associated Press reported.
His Friday remarks were initially going to be broadcast on Independence Mall but it was moved inside due to extreme heat.
Events in Philly today include free museums and Pops on Independence
America’s 250th birthday is finally here, and organizations throughout Philadelphia have planned a full itinerary of celebrations for the weekend.
For those seeking historical enrichment, live music from national headliners, or even a patriotic pet parade, look no further.
Here is a schedule of the activities and events happening in the city Friday:
Free Museum Day: Fireman’s Hall Museum
In a renovated 1898 firehouse, the Fireman’s Hall visitors can learn about the history of firefighting in Philadelphia, the birthplace of volunteer fire companies.
10 a.m., 147 N. 2nd St.
Free Museum Day: Science History Institute
The museum will feature a new exhibition on fireworks, exploring the art, chemistry, and craft behind the colorful emblem of the holiday.
10 a.m., 315 Chestnut St.
38th annual Liberty Medal ceremony
In a public ceremony, the National Constitution Center will award the 38th annual Liberty Medal to Pope Leo XIV, who will deliver live acceptance remarks virtually from the Vatican.
10:45 a.m., 525 Arch St.
Free Museum Day: Historic St. George’s Museum and Archives
Celebrating traditional craftsmanship, the museum will offer hands-on workshops where participants can create their own wax seals and try out water marbling.
11 a.m., 235 N. 4th St.
Free Museum Day: Historic Waynesborough
Located in Paoli, this National Historic Landmark was once the home of Revolutionary War hero Gen. Anthony Wayne. Free tours of the Georgian-style property will be available for visitors.
Noon, 2049 Waynesborough Road, Paoli, Pa.
Pops on Independence
Enjoy a live orchestral show with the Philly Pops, headlined by Tony Award-winning performer Idina Menzel.
Friday’s high is expected to challenge the reigning champ, the 104 set during a blistering heat wave in 1966, when the nation was a mere 190 years old.
On Saturday, when Philly celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday, the high may fall just short of 100, said Matt Benz, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, as the high pressure “heat dome” covering much of the nation loses some of its protective power over Philly.
That also could be a window for “ring of fire” thunderstorms that could be nasty. The federal Storm Prediction Center sees a 15% chance that any storms on Saturday could become “severe,” with wind gusts up to 60 mph.
By Sunday, highs will be backing off to the 90s, however the sequence of warm nights probably will persist, at least in areas of Philadelphia most affected by the urban heat island effect.
John Adams wanted ‘pomp and parade’ to mark July 2. For the 250th, Philly tried, despite the heat.
As the mercury climbed above 100 degrees in the Philadelphia region two days before the nation’s 250th birthday, it was, it seemed, too hot for liberty as originally planned.
Thursday marked the start of the Red White & Blue To-Do — Philadelphia’s third-annual celebration of the day the Second Continental Congress voted to adopt a resolution of independence here on July 2, 1776. Though many events honoring that anniversary were planned, several highly anticipated gatherings were canceled or postponed due to the heat.
And yet, despite the oppressive temperatures on a particularly toasty July day in the cradle of the nation’s founding, the celebration started early Thursday.
At 7 a.m., some 250 revelers, clad in red, white, and blue clothing, gathered at Independence Mall to make a living Liberty Bell — a representation of a symbol that has defined Philadelphia for centuries, and a touchstone for Americans nationwide. The human formation even captured the bell’s signature crack through an outline of participants wearing blue.
// RelatedLink Text: Ben Franklin contest URL: https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/a/ben-franklin-look-alike-contest-philadelphia-july-4th-20260703.html
The Jaylen Brown trade was a shock to everyone … including Jaylen Brown.
The newest 76er finally spoke about the deal that sent him from the Boston Celtics to the Sixers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks.
Known for his social media presence in recent years, Brown took to his stream to read his statement, speak directly to fans, and explain a few behind-the-scenes details.
Here are a few things we learned from Brown’s first public appearance since the blockbuster deal:
VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey reached out
It’s customary for players who join a new team to receive phone calls from their future teammates. So it wasn’t a shock that a few members of the Sixers reached out to Brown in the aftermath of the deal. While he likely was contacted by more members of the organization, he returned calls on stream from star guards VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey.
Jaylen Brown calls VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey back on stream. Both sound excited to be working with JB.
Brown told VJ Edgecombe he's "a fan of his game" and told Maxey "we got work to do". pic.twitter.com/rUPaFc6nFV
“Guys hitting me so we ready to get to work,” Brown said after a brief call with Edgecombe.
Maxey spoke to Brown with his typical high energy and enthusiasm. He grew more excited when he learned that he was live on stream, greeting the chat and proclaiming that he would pull up for a later recording. They ended the call talking basketball.
“You know I’m locked in, man. Holla at me. I’m in the gym whenever,” Maxey said.
“Aight, bet, we gone get in the gym,” Brown said.
Brown’s key card no longer works in Boston
Brown has played for one franchise for the last 10 years, so this experience is all new to him. So new that he wanted to make sure the trade was real after reports surfaced that he was dealt to Philly.
Brown revealed that he drove to the Celtics’ facility and tried to use his key card. It did not work.
“I went up to the facility, and my key card got rejected,” Brown said. “Damn, I just wanted to see if it was real. They packed me up, bro.”
"I went up to the facility, and my key card got rejected. Damn, I just wanted to see if it was real, packed me up, bro.”
Brown’s experience has been compared to a viral video of former NFL safety Jamal Adams, whose key card didn’t work at the Jets facility after he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.
Joining the Sixers will be an adjustment
The rivalry between Boston and Philly is real, and the hatred goes both ways.
Brown said it will be an adjustment joining a rival of his former team. He admitted that the Celtics programmed him to dislike Philly.
“For the last 10 years, I’ve been programmed to hate Philadelphia, from the history of the rivalry to the playoff battles, The Process,” Brown said, “like I’ve been programmed to be like [expletive] The Process. It’s funny now, I gotta reverse engineer.”
Jaylen Brown goes live on Twitch after being traded from the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers
“For the last 10 years, I’ve been programmed to hate Philadelphia, from the history of the rivalry to the playoff battles, the process, like I’ve been programmed to be like f—k… pic.twitter.com/pafQ1mRQbs
Brown is not a fan of the media’s portrayal of him
The Brown trade rumors unearthed the underbelly of narratives and projections about Brown’s play and revealed how harmful labels can be attached to a player.
Brown addressed a number of media members he believes have slighted him, calling out ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, Fox broadcaster Colin Cowherd, and ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks by name.
Marks shared on SiriusXM NBA Radio that an anonymous source told him they believed Brown was the “seventh-best player on a team,” which didn’t make the most sense after Brown willed Boston to the postseason last year and won an NBA title only two years ago.
“They use ‘anonymous sources’ to hide behind things they actually feel, or to hide behind things that are actually bigotry,” Brown said, referring to talk that he thinks he is the smartest person in the room. “‘It’s not me, it’s my anonymous source’ but they don’t see the amount of damage that can do. … It’s my character. Critique my performance all you want, but the line gets crossed.”
Jaylen Brown: "They use 'anonymous sources' to hide behind things THEY actually feel, or to hide behind things that are actually bigotry.
'It's not me, it's my anonymous source' but they don't see the amount of damage that can do … It's my character. Critique my performance… pic.twitter.com/PgADjUqhee
During a post-practice media session two days before Game 1 of the 76ers’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Paul George was asked extensively about defending the wing tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
“Those two guys have won,” George said. “They’re mature. They’re experienced. … If we’ve got a shot to beat them, we’ve got to make it as tough as possible.”
The veteran wing was instrumental on both ends of the floor in that stunning Sixers upset. Brown said as much on a Thursday night Twitch livestream, calling George’s performance “vintage” during that series. And more division-rival matchups between George and Brown are on the horizon — but in opposite jerseys.
George’s two-year stopover in Philly is over, after the Sixers on Wednesday agreed to trade him and four draft picks to Boston in a blockbuster exchange for the All-NBA wing Brown. George, once a perennial All-Star but now past his prime, will be remembered as the flashy free-agent signing in 2024 whose tenure here was regularly interrupted by injuries and suspension.
Much hoopla surrounded George’s arrival, including stories of the Sixers’ brass dodging a storm on their flight to Los Angeles to woo him into agreeing to a four-year max contract after 2 a.m. Eastern time the first night of free agency. The Sixers deliberately cleared cap space — including asking ascending star point guard Tyrese Maxey to wait a year to sign his own max deal — in order to offer such a contract once Tobias Harris’ deal came off the books.
George revealed he had formed a “secret friendship” with fellow introvert Joel Embiid at league events such as All-Star weekend, adding context to Embiid’s nationally televised side-eye to George while on set together at the NBA Finals. Coach Nick Nurse expressed excitement in the clean “1-3-5” fit with Maxey at guard, George on the wing, and 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player Embiid at center.
Paul George (left) and Joel Embiid rarely shared the court together over the last two seasons.
Yet it was foreshadowing when George, who turned 36 in May, hyperextended his knee in a preseason game at the Atlanta Hawks in 2024. He went on to play 78 total games across two seasons with the Sixers, and only 36 with both Embiid and Maxey that yielded an 18-18 record.
At various points during that frustrating first season in Philly, George received painkiller injections in his pinkie finger, adductor, and knee to try and play. He visibly did not have the same burst to get past defenders which had previously helped make him one of the smoothest and versatile scorers of this generation. He sustained another knee injury during an offseason workout last July, prompting arthroscopic surgery and another delayed start to his 2025-26 season.
Then in January, George was abruptly suspended by the NBA for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
Interestingly, those weeks away may have helped George’s body heal and propelled him to a strong finish. He averaged 21 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.2 steals in the Sixers’ final 10 regular-season games, and shot a blistering 41.5% on 8.2 three-point attempts per game.
In that first-round series against the Celtics, George drew praise from Nurse and teammates for his stout play while the three-star Embiid-Maxey-George vision suddenly came to life. George added that he was finally “able to do things [on the court] that I was once able to do, again.” But during the New York Knicks’ second-round sweep of the Sixers, George started multiple games strong before his production fell off in the second half.
George, though, expressed optimism during his end-of-season news conference that he could have a “real summer of improving” his game instead of rehabbing an injury. The Sixers made a significant front-office change in replacing Daryl Morey with new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, but it appeared they would be forced to run it back with their core because of the hefty salary committed across multiple seasons.
Jaylen Brown (left) and Paul George will remain division rivals next season, just in different uniforms.
Perhaps Wednesday’s shocking trade is evidence that no contract is immovable.
News surfaced publicly that the Celtics had offered Brown to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a trade package for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo before last week’s NBA draft. From the outside, it appears that, in the aftermath, the relationship between team and player became irreparable. And though the Sixers swapped one gigantic contract for another in the deal, Brown is more durable, in his prime, and coming off a season when he finished sixth in MVP voting.
George also is an example of the modern NBA’s more transient stars. This will be his fifth team — also including the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Clippers — in a fantastic 17-year career. Before this stunning blockbuster, George had already been traded for future two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander along with former All-Stars Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.
There has been a barrage of star-player moves already this offseason, including the Toronto Raptors reacquiring Kawhi Leonard, LaMelo Ball going from the Charlotte Hornets to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Ja Morant moving from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Portland Trail Blazers. All of those have occurred via trade. That can be attributed to the new collective bargaining agreement and “apron penalties,” along with an overarching player philosophy to get lucrative contracts when offered as extensions by their current team and, if necessary, force their way to a new playing destination later.
When asked during his end-of-season news conference about how he felt about his time in Philly — a sports market known for harsh outside criticism for players who are perceived to not be living up to their contracts — George said, “My experience with the fans has been amazing, it’s definitely love here.” He posted a thank-you note to the Sixers and fans on his Instagram Thursday night.
Now, George’s choppy two-year stint in Philly is over.
Fairmount residents are accustomed to annual July Fourth fireworks; it comes with the territory of living near Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where the city stages its major celebrations. With the United States’ 250th birthday, this July Fourth is no different — except that the fireworks will start closer to midnight.
“We have the whole family coming to our home, all on their way right now,” said Fairmount resident Margo DelliCarpini. “But 11:30, midnight is just too late for some families with children. I understand that it’s the Fourth of July, but the late start for fireworks is decidedly not a family-friendly decision.”
DelliCarpini will have her children and grandchildren visit to experience the Semiquincentennial in the city where the country began. But with young children in tow, parents along for the trip were hoping to have them in bed by midnight, she said. Instead, the large group is looking to catch one of the fireworks shows at Valley Forge or across Montgomery County, which start around 9 p.m.
Fans react to the music as the Wawa Welcome America Festival concluded July 4, 2023, with a free concert on Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Philadelphia’s July Fourth concert and fireworks show, the One City: Unity Concert for America, is expanding its lineup from two to three acts like in years past, to 10 artists, including Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, Meek Mill, and Seal. The show will also start earlier and end later, spanning into July 5 by the time people head home.
The city did not respond to request for comment.
Other cities, like New York, Boston, and Los Angeles, are keeping their 9-9:30 p.m. start times, while Washington, D.C. is among the cities pushing back its fireworks show to 10:30 p.m. or even 11 p.m. to allow for its expanded America 250 showcase.
Mykola Kosyk, 36, a lifelong Fairmount resident, has been witnessing the Parkway fireworks for years. Usually he’ll catch some of the concert with his wife, head back home, have time to set off some fireworks of his own with family, and then all head back to the Parkway for the city’s grand finale. Kosyk said he’ll still likely watch the midnight fireworks on Saturday, but feels disappointed that younger Philadelphians may not get to experience itas children during 1976’s Bicentennial, Kosyk’s father recalled.
“It is the 250th, so if there is a time to do something big, I’m open to the idea,” Kosyk said of the later show. “But I also feel bad for the youngsters coming out, because 9 p.m. is usually a pretty good time for kids to watch the show. Midnight is pushing it a little for kids.”
For residents like Kosyk and DelliCarpini, the nuisance is less with the noise of fireworks which most Fairmount residents are used to by now, but how late the show will run, limiting access to younger kids and delaying vehicle and pedestrian traffic later into the morning.
The Inquirer reported that this year’s event will cost more to operate after Mayor Cherelle L. Parker decided to change the management of the festival from its previous nonprofit partner to a for-profit production company. Parker defended that decision at a news conference Wednesday: Philadelphia needed to meet the moment and host a celebration that is “fitting to and for our historical significance and prominence.”
Jason Derulo performs during the Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert on the Parkway in 2022.
Moving an expected 300,000 attendees and their vehicles
Besides the hurdles for parents with younger children, there’s also the headache of moving an expected 300,000 people from the Parkway back home after the show.
SEPTA has covered most of its bases for getting people home. Regional Rail lines will have extended service on all lines, but the Landsale/Doylestown, Paoli/Thorndale, Manayunk/Norristown, Trenton, and West Trenton lines are the only lines that will run their last train between 1 a.m. and 1:10 a.m. All other Regional Rail lines stop running before 1 a.m., and in some cases before midnight, so people traveling in from the suburbs should plan accordingly.
Subways and trolleys will run overnight for those heading back home within the city, and bus service will run on a Sunday schedule, which usually stops operating around 2 a.m. for some routes.
But vehicle and pedestrian traffic could use some city intervention, said Dustin Dove, president of the Fairmount Civic Association, as there is concern among local civic leaders and some residents about how the city is handling traffic leaving the Parkway.
“It’s usually a bit of a mess near the Parkway after the fireworks and can lead to some reckless driving nearby as people are stuck,” Dove said. “Historically, after the fireworks, there are thousands of pedestrians and cars that come into the neighborhood.”
A police presence is seen in Eakin’s Oval as people wait for the fireworks to start at the Wawa Welcome America Festival on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
Dove and others are hoping to see an increased police presence and traffic direction, as the event will be much later with more people this year, Dove said.
Additionally, residents hope police manage safety accordingly on Saturday.
“There’s going to be problems when you live in a city; it’s not like it’s the middle of nowhere with no neighbors, but this week … you’re now having people walk back home at midnight, 12:30 a.m.,” DelliCarpini said. “There needs to be a safe environment after the show.”
WASHINGTON — It was blisteringly hot when I showed up at President Donald Trump’s much-ballyhooed Great American State Fair on the National Mall in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday.
As I headed off to check in as a member of themedia, a friend who’d accompanied me decided to wait at a lemonade stand.
At first, I was a little concerned, wondering how I was ever going to find her. A lemonade stand on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was bound to be mobbed on a scorcher of a day like the one we had on Monday.
I needn’t have worried. It wasn’t that kind of party. Crowds were so thin that I quickly spotted her standing alone and eating a snow cone that cost a whopping $8. “Even on a hot day, there was no line at the lemonade stand,” pointed out my friend, Pamela Thomas of Pathfinders Travel, who had taken the train from Philadelphia with me.
That should give you a pretty good idea of how it was at the so-called Great American State Fair, brought to us by Freedom 250, an organization created by President Donald Trump.
The Great American State Fair was downright boring.
Oh, there was an 110-foot Ferris wheel borrowed from the Smithsonian Institution. I watched people stand unsheltered under the blazing sun as they waited for their turn. But that’s the only carnival ride I saw.
This wasn’t like any state fair I’d ever attended. Where was the merry-go-round? Where was the roller coaster? The cotton candy? The local beauty queens? The fair could use a quilting demonstration and band performances. I saw only one cornhole game.
A mockup of President Donald Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch stands at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on June 29.
The so-called Great American State Fair needs a whole lot more fun and a whole lot less Trump.
There wasn’t much for children to do besides have souvenir replicas of their new Trump passports stamped.
I managed to findsome shade while sitting on a folding chair inside an area called David’s Tent. As I cooled off, I listened to a woman onstage sing religious songs. Behind me was an aboveground swimming pool set up, ostensibly, for on-the-spot baptisms. In the spirit of inclusivity, there was also a candle-filled menorah positioned in the front of the tent.
At one point, we made our way over to the Hawaii booth. Inside, all we saw was a large mural of the Aloha State that included a picture of former President Barack Obama that someone had defaced.
A smiling woman offered to stamp our “passports.” There was nothing else going on in that booth. Not a flowered lei or macadamia nut in sight. No hula dance demonstration. No ukulele performance.
Same thing with the neighboring Alaska booth.
I made a point of checking out the North Carolina booth, which had been criticized for having images of Confederate flags on display on TV monitors. This one was a bit more inviting, with its colorful NASCAR displays. I didn’t see anything resembling a rebel flag — but I did see a bale of cotton just sitting on the floor, which can be seen as offensive becauseof its slavery connotations. The setup had been organized by private donors. One company, Mt. Olive Pickles, has since pulled out of the fair.
The D.C. booth had some upbeat music playing, a fake cherry blossom tree, and a giant map of the mall that attendees stuck pins into to represent where they lived. “No go-go music?” I asked an attendant, who assured me that some was in the playlist.
Pennsylvania’s pavilion showcases state history and memorabilia at the Great American State Fair on June 30 in Washington, D.C.
Cape May County, a Republican stronghold, sponsored the New Jersey booth and brought in an impressive-looking eight-foot sand castle. But I noticed one small red plastic bucket of saltwater taffy that a kid was rummaging through. For an area as rich and diverse as the Garden State, the display felt incomplete.
Soon, I had had enough.
We stopped by the media table again on our way out and asked about what was on the schedule for later. The answer? A rodeo demonstration at 7 p.m. That was it.
I was stunned. America deserved more and better for its 250th birthday celebration.
So, if you decide to go experience the Great American State Fair before it is dismantled on July 10, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
While waiting for his SEPTA bus, Jake McGovern, 28, noticed at least three routes go by his corner in Point Breeze.
He wondered if route numbers had any particular meaning: Maybe 7 indicated a north-south route, and 9 meant east-west.
“There has to be some logic to it,” he thought.
No amount of looking at the bus maps proved helpful in deciphering the pattern, so McGovern asked Curious Philly, The Inquirer’s forum for questions about the city: “Is there any rhyme or reason for the SEPTA bus numbering system?”
Places like New York City have bus lines with a combination of letters and numbers that show the borough they serve: Bx (Bronx), B (Brooklyn), M (Manhattan), and even S for Staten Island.
Philly, on the other hand, has always vibed to its own logic, even when that might mean not having one.
SEPTA operates more than 120 bus routes, including the lines to the suburbs. But bus numbers in Philly do not indicate where routes go or which streets they operate on, according to SEPTA spokesperson John Golden.
SEPTA bus numbers above 90 are lines driving to the suburbs.
The routes below 90 were formerly Philadelphia Transportation Co. streetcar routes, Golden said.
The bus numbers in Philly are a relic of a time when Philadelphians moved through streetcars pulled by horses.
Back then, the lines were named in the order they were introduced, Billy Penn reported in 2020. When bus routes replaced them, the route numbers were retained.
For areas with new bus routes,letters were assigned as the route identifier. Eventually, new bus routes were numbered in the high 80s, Golden said.
The letter system ended in February 2025, when SEPTA renamed bus routes named after letters into numbers, turning:
The G into 63
The H into 71
The J into 41
The L into 51
The R into 82
The XH into 81
Upon hearing the explanation McGovern said, “Oh, jeez” between laughs.
“It’s kind of a letdown, but it’s funny that it worked out like that,” McGovern said. “I imagine the randomness is probably useful to other people in the city as well, because it makes it very unique.”
