They came decked out in red, white and blue garb, their bags filled with bottled water for a long day on the National Mall, eager to celebrate the United States of America in its capital city.
Washington, D.C
A festive Fourth of July in the nation’s capital, even as politics loom
Those who came felt the division. The despair. But if there was any day to set it aside, this, the country’s 248th birthday, was it.
“This year, when our country is so divided, it’s especially important to be at an event where everyone celebrates patriotism together,” said 61-year-old James Shinkle, who came to watch a historical reenactment performed on the steps of the National Archive. “Not divided. Together.”
Americans on Thursday fanned across the D.C. region — gawking at parade performers, walking through museums and joining historical tours. Crowds camped on the National Mall awaiting the evening’s fireworks were first met with a drenching, as rain soaked the Washington region shortly after 5 p.m. Locals and tourists huddled beneath trees, umbrellas and even makeshift tents made of picnic blankets, hopeful that the storm would dissipate before showtime. A city-run concert in Freedom Plaza was delayed, but as of 6 p.m., the fireworks had not yet been postponed.
“Thank you for your patience while we wait for the thunderstorm to pass,” the U.S. Capitol Police tweeted.
The downpour was yet another slight hiccup for the holiday, following an overnight boil-water advisory that officials scrambled to resolve in the early morning hours. Then came a runaway horse that jolted a usually “slow-going” parade in Takoma Park, Md.
“I think people didn’t realize what they saw until the horse went by,” said Marilyn Sklar, who had come to the parade with her 21-year-old daughter and their dog, and was taking video of a group called the Washington Revels when the horse interrupted her shot.
The animal was chased by police before getting caught at Elm and Sycamore avenues — having traveled a total of about 1.2 miles across the neighborhood, according to members of the Takoma Park Facebook group. Takoma Park police said the horse, which was part of the parade procession, unexpectedly began running in the opposite direction of the route and grazed one person, though they were not injured. The situation was “promptly managed by the skilled handler on Elm Avenue,” police said.
In downtown D.C., hundreds lined Constitution Avenue NW in front of the National Archives, occupying prime real estate for the parade. The Kalski family arrived at 8:30 a.m. to stake out the same spot they claimed last year. Aware that their early arrival time means spending five hours outside with sons Parker, 8, and Graham, 9, Amanda and Brandon Kalski came prepared with packed lunch, electric fans, bottled water and, of course, a bag full of card games.
As the family settled in to play a game of Charades for Kids, Parker and Graham hoped the horses they saw during the historical reenactment last year would be back.
“Are you ready to shout ‘huzzah’?” Brandon asked Parker.
The crowd’s cheers became more subdued as the midafternoon sun beat down. Many wore the American flag sunglasses and hats vendors hawked at each corner, having resigned themselves to the inflated holiday prices in their search for a way to mitigate the heat.
The Karayacobian family had a different plan. The Californians spotted a fire hydrant spewing water. In seconds, Charlotte, 8, and her two brothers were running through the spray.
“We loved the parade but we were so hot,” Charlotte said. “I’m not really hot at all anymore.”
While the mood in the nation’s capital was celebratory, it was difficult to ignore the country’s fraught political climate. It weighed on the minds of John Han, 56, and Mindy Han, 55, as they made their way around the historic grounds at Mount Vernon.
When viewing the welcome video for the George Washington mansion tour, Mindy said it was “inspirational” to hear how George Washington “unified the country,” adding that she would “love to see that happen in today’s world if possible.”
Adele White, 62, and Howard White, 63, who visited Mount Vernon while on vacation from California, said they were “absolutely” thinking about politics as they caught the end of a military drill. And they were concerned for the state of the country.
“There is no unity; everything should be improved,” Adele said.
The pair said they had learned a lot from their day reading about history, and they thought others might as well.
“I think the candidates should take tours and read some of the words from our forefathers,” Howard quipped.
At the National Archives, Greg and Anna Murks of Houston considered a different president’s vision for the country as they approached an actor dressed as Thomas Jefferson.
“This is a phone,” Anna Murks joked to the actor. She held up the futuristic device to take a selfie.
The couple made the trip to D.C. in part to fulfill history buff Greg’s bucket list item of celebrating the nation’s birthday in the capital. They made their way toward the rotunda to view the Declaration of Independence; the line wrapped around the room and bled out into the hallway.
The Murks decided to take the trip to D.C. now because they said they feared some of the values embodied in the Declaration of Independence are slipping away.
“When I went to the Lincoln Memorial and I looked up at President Lincoln, I had tears in my eyes because I was asking for his help,” Greg said.
Greg said that more and more people are conflating patriotism with partisan support. In the current political climate, Greg said he feared “patriotism is being co-opted” by partisan interests.
“I’m here to reclaim the definition of patriotism,” Anna replied.
Alisa Tang contributed to this report.
TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Members of Tucson’s Jewish Community and their supporters gathered at Reid Park Wednesday afternoon, honoring the lives of a young couple shot and killed in Washington D.C. a week before.
Organizer Tony Zinman says this wasn’t just a vigil but an act of defiance.
“We’re not going to hide,” he said. “We’re not going to cower. We’re going to be out and proud and loud. We’re going to show you that we’re here.”
The group of about 20 circled up, singing and praying while holding battery-powered candles around a picture of Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky.
The two were staffers at the Israeli Embassy. They were fatally shot May 21 leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter says the two were soon-to-be engaged.
“Yaron worked for one of our senior diplomats,” he said. “He did most of the research. He was just a prince of a human being. Sarah worked in our public diplomacy wing, and they were just a beautiful couple together.”
The couple’s memory is inspiring vigils across the country, including the one here in Tucson which brought out Arizona Representative Consuelo Hernandez who says this act shows how dangerous rising antisemitism in the United States can be.
“I’ve witnessed mobs of people show up and yell the same chants as the person who murdered Yaron and Sarah,” she said. “When we continue to live our lives like antisemitism doesn’t exist, it continues to snowball.”
Zinman says it’s everyone’s responsibility to help curb antisemitism.
“If you have Jewish friends, call them, tell you’re there for them and you’re always going to be there for them,” Zinman said.
——
Alex Dowd is a multimedia journalist at KGUN 9, where her work combines her two favorite hobbies: talking to new people and learning about the community around her. Her goal is to eventually meet every single person in Tucson. Share your story ideas with Alex via email, alex.dowd@kgun9.com, or connecting on Instagram or X.
2 men shot, killed in Temple Hills
Authorities in Prince George’s County are investigating a deadly double shooting that left two men dead in Temple Hills late Tuesday night.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. – A man has been charged with shooting and killing two teenagers in Temple Hills late Tuesday night.
What we know:
The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Duan Goddard of Fort Washington. Goddard is currently in custody in Washington, DC, pending extradition to Prince George’s County.
The victims have been identified as 16-year-old Thomas Smith, Jr. of Washington, D.C., and 16-year-old Michael Bassett of Temple Hills.
Deadly shooting in Temple Hills
Prince George’s County Police were in the area of the 5500 block of Haras Place when they heard the sound of gunshots at 9:35 p.m. The officers canvassed the area and located the two teen victims outside an apartment building in the 5200 block of Haras Place.
Police say Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. Bassett died a short time later at a hospital. A third teenager who was with the victims was also shot at but was not struck, according to police.
Goddard is charged with first and second-degree murder and related charges.
We share the best things to do every weekend in The Weekend Scene newsletter – it’s free to subscribe!
AAPI Heritage Month is coming to a close. Watch our special here, then consider stopping by one of the restaurants or cultural centers we highlighted before the month is out.
But as one month-long cultural celebration ends, another — Pride Month — begins. We’ve got our big guide to WorldPride here.
Jazz in the Garden is here! The lottery for this weekend’s concert on May 30 is already closed, but it’s not too late to register for first one in June.
Pools are open, if you’re willing to brave the cold and rain to jump on in. Our own Juliana Valencia tried it, and you can too after picking a spot from our handy dandy pool guide.
If you’re craving ocean air, maybe a semi-spontaneous beach trip is in the cards? There are plenty of sandy spots in driving range from the District. We’ve got a list.
Here’s what to do this weekend in the Washington, D.C. area.
What to do in Washington, D.C.
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s “Frankenstein”: Opens Tues., Klein Theatre in Northwest D.C., $39+
WorldPride Film Festival: Tue.-Thurs., Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – D.C. Bryant Street & Crystal City and Atlas Performing Arts Center
World Pride Black Queer Film Festival: Tue.-Thurs., 6-9 p.m., Blackburn Digital Auditorium at Howard University, free
CiNeMatic – “Coco”: Weds., Alethia Tanner Park, free
District of Pride Showcase: Wed., 7 p.m., Lincoln Theatre, free
Wet and Julie Byrne: Wed., 8 p.m., Union Stage, $33+
Street Fest Art Gallery Openings: Thurs., 5:30-8:30 p.m., Union Market District
Sunset Cinema: Thurs., 7 p.m., Transit Pier at The Wharf, free
First Sips of Summer: Fri., 5-10 p.m., Smoke & Mirrors, $70+
DC Defenders vs. St. Louis Battlehawks: Fri., 8 p.m., Audi Field
National Arboretum extended hours: Fri., Open until 8 p.m., Northeast D.C., free
Washington Mystics vs. New York Liberty (Pride Night): Fri., 7:30 p.m., CareFirst Arena in Southeast D.C., $62+
Jazz In the Garden: Fri., 6-8:30 p.m., National Gallery of Art, free (registration required)
Extraordinary Cinema: The Bourne Identity: Fri., 8:30 p.m., The Reach Lawn at the Kennedy Center, free
Ctrl+Alt+Connect: Spritz Sol Flow: Sat., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Eckington Hall, $58.30
Scavenger Hunt of the Smithsonians: Sat., 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., $20
(D)rafts and (C)rafts: Sat., 1-6 p.m., DC Brau, $10-55
34th Annual Glover Park Day: Sat., 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Guy Mason Recreation Center
Newark Street Community Garden 50th Anniversary Celebration: Sat., 1-3 p.m., Newark Street Community Garden, free
Color Me Calm: An Adult Coloring Experience: Sat., 2-5 p.m., Anacostia Arts Center, $30
An Evening In Paris at the Embassy of France: Sat., 7-11 p.m., Embassy of France, $99+
Jazz In the Heights Festival: Sat.-Sun., Sycamore & Oak, free (reserved tickets)
Project Glow ‘25: Sat.-Sun., RFK Festival Grounds, $105+Crochet Classes with Fairy Ring Fibers: Sun., 11 a.m., Rhizome DC, pay what you wish ($35 recommended)
What to do in Maryland
Metallica M72 World Tour: Weds., 6 p.m., Northwest Stadium Landover, $63-$150
Washington Mystics vs. Indiana Fever: Weds., 7:30 p.m., CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, $101+
Pride Night @ Chesapeake Baysox: Thurs., 5 p.m., Prince Georges Stadium, free
A Taste of Riverworks: Sat., 11 a.m., Poolesville, free
Annapolis Pride Parade & Festival: Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Calvert & Bladen Sts. Annapolis, free
EFFERVESCENT: A Pride Social: Sat., 7-11 p.m., Creative Suitland Arts Center, $17.85
In the Life: A LGBTQIA + Pride Celebration: Sat., noon to 5 p.m., Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex, free
Salute the Sunset: United States Air Force Concert Band: Sat., 7-8 p.m., National Harbor, free
Pride Family Day: Sun., 11 a.m., Glen Echo Park, free
DMG plays Bowies Summer Sunset: Sun., 6 p.m., Allen Pond Park, free
What to do in Virginia
Thursday Night Trivia: Thurs., 6 p.m., The Spot at Belmont Bay, $25 per team
Lake Anne Sunset Paddle: Thurs., 7-8:30 p.m., Lake Anne Boat Dock, $20
Sunset Concert at River Farm Featuring Soulfire: Thurs., 6-8 p.m., American Horticultural Society’s River Farm, $20 parking (free admission)
Chicago the Musical: Fri.-Sun., Capital One Hall, $80+
Fab Fridays Live Music: All Fired Up: Fri., 7 p.m.., Reston Metro Plaza, free
Arlington Pride Vendor Festival: Sat., 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hyatt Regency DCA, free
Nature Journaling Club: Sat., 10 a.m., Del Ray Artisans Gallery, free (bring your own supplies)
Loudon Pride Festival: Sat., 12-6 p.m., Ida Lee Park, $5
Virginia Wine Festival: Sat.-Sun., Tyson’s Corner, $55+
Big Lick Comic Con NOVA: Sat.-Sun., Dulles Expo Center, $25+
Movie at the Mill – ‘Pride & Prejudice’: Sat., 8:30 p.m., Colvin Run Mill, $1016th Annual Taste of Del Ray: Sun., 1-3 p.m., Mount Vernon Recreation Center Fields, $10-$75
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