Thousands of people gathered in the US capital to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday in a day that was marked by extreme weather, delays, and a huge display of fireworks.

The celebration, which included a flyover, a concert, as well as a speech by US President Donald Trump, was delayed by a thunderstorm that forced an evacuation of the National Mall in the early evening.

The night ended with the skies being lit up by the reputed largest fireworks display ever in the US.

The 4 July federal holiday commemorates the 13 US colonies signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to end British rule.

BBC correspondent Richard Preston attended the celebrations.

More on this story here.

Berk Kutay Gokmen

Masked individuals, including some displaying Confederate flags, were observed marching through Washington, D.C., on the Fourth of July, the US Independence Day.

“Reclaim America, reclaim America,” the crowd was heard chanting in a video captured near Union Station by radio station WTOP’s Mitchell Miller, who reported that the group advocated for the removal of immigrants.

Footage recorded by Miller shows several participants carrying flags that appear to feature the Patriot Front logo. The Anti-Defamation League identifies Patriot Front as a white supremacist group.

“A group of masked men gathered at Union Station today and called for reclaiming the country and getting rid of immigrants. Some held Confederate flags. They have been marching across Capitol Hill,” Miller wrote on US social media company X.

Other footage posted on social media appeared to depict the group marching near the Eastern Market Metro station.

It’s Fourth of July in Washington DC, where a large gathering is expected to celebrate on the National Mall for America’s 250th birthday.

Whether you celebrate alongside tens of thousands of others in the heart of the District or choose to view the fireworks from a different vantage point, here’s a guide to navigating the day’s festivities.

What to know about Salute to America fireworks show

A large perimeter will be closed off around the National Mall for Salute to America, a White House-led Fourth of July celebration that will include a speech by President Donald Trump and fireworks.

The tentative schedule, which was updated Thursday, says fireworks will begin at 10:30 p.m. Considered “the largest fireworks display in history,” 850,000 shells will be launched from 10 sites: the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool, West Potomac Park and barges along the Potomac River.

When should you arrive to Salute to America?

With heat indices expected to climb into the triple digits, Freedom 250 organizers modified the schedule to reduce attendees’ exposure during the hottest part of the day.

Now, the Washington Monuments grounds do not open to the public until 5 p.m. The nighttime programming begins at 7 p.m.

Although it’s unclear when the best time to arrive to the Mall is, organizers expect a capacity crowd of 150,000 people to attend the event.

What can you bring to National Mall on July 4?

Attendees are now allowed to bring an empty, non-metal water bottle to the National Mall. There will be multiple complimentary refill stations, and organizers also plan to distribute free water bottles.

Blankets are allowed, as is one of the following: a clear, see-through bag that does not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, or a small clutch or purse not larger than 10 inches by 6 inches by 2 inches.

What is not allowed at National Mall on July 4?

Salute to America is expected to have TSA-like security measures, and the following items will not be allowed: aerosols including bug spray and sunscreen, glass or metal containers, ammunition, animals except service animals, backpacks, balloons, balls and frisbees, bicycles, bull horns and noise makers, camping chairs and folding chairs, coolers, drink tumblers, drones, flammable liquids, vapes and smokeless tobacco, laser pointers, lighters, mace and pepper spray, packages, pocket knives, range finders, recreational motorized mobility devices, selfie sticks, signs exceeding 20 inches by 3 inches by a quarter-inch. skateboards and scooters, explosives, firearms, toy guns and weapons of any kind.

The list of prohibited items follows guidelines from the U.S. Secret Service. Organizers say any items surrendered at the checkpoints “will be discarded or turned over for destruction.”

How to navigate the Metro in Washington DC on July 4

Metro Rail will be free from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. today, with additional trains going into service beginning at 5 p.m.

Metro said trains will arrive every 3-4 minutes downtown.

To get to and from the entrance to Salute to America, you should use the Federal Triangle or Smithsonian stations on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines. To avoid a transfer on the Red line, you can exit at Metro Center.

“Event officials and Metro staff will direct customers on the Mall to specific stations after the fireworks to help with crowd control,” Metro said. “Metro Transit Police will be at station entrances to monitor crowd flow and may, at times, limit entry to prevent overcrowding.”

When are the military flyovers July 4 in Washington DC?

Military flyovers and demonstrations will take place for seven hours along the National Mall and Washington Monument grounds today, with one more coming around the time fireworks begin.

• 1:14 p.m. – NASA F-5 Flyover
• 1:24 p.m. – NASA Fleet Review
• 1:44 p.m. – USCG Helo Flyover
• 1:54 p.m. – USCG Fixed Wing Flyover
• 2:09 p.m. – Golden Knights, Leap Frogs
• 2:29 p.m. – Army Helo Flyover
• 2:44 p.m. – USAF Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Heavies
• 2:54 p.m. – USAF Fleet Review – Wave 2 – AFSOC
• 3:04 PM – USAF Fleet Review – Wave 3 – Fighters
• 3:29 p.m. – Executive Rotary Wing Airlift
• 3:39 p.m. – USMC Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Rotary
• 3:49 p.m. – USMC Fleet Review – Wave 2 – Fixed Wing
• 3:59 p.m. – USN Fleet Review – Wave 1 – Rotary
• 4:09 p.m. – USN Fleet Review – Wave 2 – Fixed Wing
• 4:19 p.m. – USN Fleet Review – Wave 3 – Fighters
• 4:21 p.m. – USN F-18F Demonstration
• 4:59 p.m. – USN Blue Angels
• 5:26 p.m. – USMC MV-22 Osprey Demonstration
• 5:44 p.m. – USAF Fleet Review – Fighters
• 6:02 p.m. – USAF Tri-Bomber Formation
• 6:05 p.m. – USN F-35C Demonstration
• 6:25 p.m. – USAF Thunderbirds Demonstration
• 7:03 p.m. – Air Force One Flyover
• 7:07 p.m. – USAF Thunderbirds Delta Break
• 7:17 p.m. – HUGE 1 Flyover Led by the Newly Renovated Air Force One
• 7:38 p.m. – U.S. Stealth Airpower Flyover
• 7:39 p.m. – F-22 Raptor Demo
• 7:53 p.m. – F-22 Raptor in Afterburner
• 7:59 p.m. – B-1 Flyover
• 8:07 p.m. – B-1 in Afterburner
• 8:11 p.m. – HUGE ONE Fly Over Review
• 8:22 p.m. – Golden Knights Twilight Jump
• 10:36 p.m. – B-1 Afterburner Night Pass