America’s role in world affairs and its special relationships with allies and partners were on full display Saturday as world leaders offered congratulations and praise while the U.S. celebrated its 250th birthday.

“This year marks a truly historic milestone and a moment of great celebration for Americans everywhere,” the United Kingdom’s King Charles III wrote in a statement.

“It offers an opportunity to pause and reflect on the remarkable journey of the United States over the past two and a half centuries, and to honour all that has been achieved since 1776.”

MILITARY ALLIES, HISTORIC TALL SHIPS CONVERGE ON NEW JERSEY SHORES TO LAUNCH AMERICA 250 CELEBRATIONS

Pope Leo XIV, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, extended his “heartfelt congratulations” to the American people on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“In marking this anniversary, it is important to recognize that freedom of religion has long been central to the American promise, protecting both individual dignity and the peaceful coexistence of a diverse people,” Leo wrote in a statement.

In France, authorities illuminated the Eiffel Tower in red, white and blue in what Paris described as a “heartfelt tribute to America’s 250th anniversary” and “a powerful reminder that the friendship between our two nations dates back to the 18th century.” President Emmanuel Macron posted a picture of the Statue of Liberty during a flyover by France’s elite aerobatic team on his X account.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that the United States was “founded on freedom, democracy, and responsibility.

“Germany and the USA have always enjoyed a close friendship. Especially in challenging times, our transatlantic partnership remains indispensable,” he wrote on X.

AS AMERICA TURNS 250, A RARE 1790 EXCHANGE BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND BISHOP CARROLL TAKES ON NEW RELEVANCE

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote that July 4th marks “one of humanity’s brightest, strongest, and most influential dreams – the American Dream of an independent, free, and prosperous nation that defends people’s freedom, faith, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry shared a statement from President Vladimir Putin to his American counterpart: “Donald, I wish you and your loved ones health, well-being and every success, and I wish all citizens of the United States happiness and prosperity.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday spoke with President Trump to congratulate him and the United States. He also released a video message Saturday where he said in part, “America has been the greatest force for liberty the modern world has known. Israel is proud to stand beside her, Israel is proud to stand beside all of you, because our alliance is built not only on shared interests, but it’s built on shared values.”

MIKE PENCE: THE NEXT GENERATION NEEDS FAITH IN GOD AND CONFIDENCE IN THE AMERICAN IDEAL

“The prime minister said in their conversation that the U.S. is a guarantor of global freedom, and Israel greatly values the close ties between nations,” according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee at the American embassy in Jerusalem on Friday.

“I am extremely moved and happy to be here at the American Embassy in Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel, at the Embassy which was launched by President Trump in his historic recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital,” said Herzog. “American Independence is one of the greatest moments in history, and it has changed the fate of humanity.”

AMERICA AND ISRAEL: A COVENANT, NOT A CONTRACT

In a letter to Trump, Herzog wrote, “This is also a time to express our deepest appreciation for the unique and unbreakable partnership between the United States of America and Israel. Our two nations draw from the same wellsprings of the Bible, and we share the same fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and human dignity.”

Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, attended the U.S. Embassy in Argentina’s Independence Day celebration, which included the national anthems of both countries, live music and celebrity lookalikes. 

Milei posted on X stating in part,“MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN: 250 years ago, a group of men founded a republic on a simple yet profoundly revolutionary idea: that all men are equal before God, and that they are endowed with inalienable natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Under this premise, that country quickly became the absolute opposite of those that embraced contrary ideas: those of communism. The prosperity of the USA is the envy of all oppressed peoples, but it pales in comparison to the freedom enjoyed by its citizens and is, in fact, merely a consequence of its preservation.”

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi noted that her country had gifted America 250 cherry trees. 

“Going forward, Japan and the United States will continue to work together to further strengthen the bonds between our two countries,” she wrote on X.

Hsiao Bi-khim, vice president of Taiwan, threw the first pitch at an American Institute in Taiwan baseball event celebrating America’s founding. 

“Our countries share beliefs in freedom & democracy, & baseball is loved by both our peoples. Congrats and Happy July 4,” she wrote.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, said the “journey of the United States’ founding is one of determination and resolve, values that continue to underpin the enduring partnership and mutual trust our countries share today.”

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of congratulations to Trump, wishing the president “continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of the US steady progress and prosperity.”

Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator in ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran, extended “warmest congratulations and best wishes to the United States of America and its people on its 250th Independence Day.”

Qatar, another mediator in the talks with the Iranian regime, released a statement from Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani who sent a cable of “congratulations to HE President of the United States of America Donald Trump on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted his country’s best wishes on X: “On behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I extend my warmest congratulations to President Trump and the people of the United States on the historic 250th anniversary of your Independence. India and the United States share more than a strategic partnership. Our shared belief in democracy, rule of law and the limitless potential of our people make our friendship a force for global good. May the next 250 years bring even greater prosperity, peace and progress for America and take the India-US partnership to new heights.”

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said the Declaration of Independence “gave birth to a new nation founded on the ideals of liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“For 250 years, our transatlantic partnership has been shaped by our shared values and family bonds. And, at times, it has been strengthened by the immense bravery and lives lost in the defence of freedom,” she added.

MOUNT VERNON, Va. (AP) — The people who were about to become United States citizens sat in folding chairs on George Washington’s lawn at Mount Vernon on Saturday, 250 years after the Declaration of Independence.

The sun beat down and the well-dressed crowd was a flutter of paddle fans stamped with American flags. Their families clung to the shade of the trees on either side, where one woman had two American flags stuck through her ponytail.

“Well, good morning, everybody,” said Anne Neal Petri, the regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.

“Good morning!” an excited crowd returned.

“And Happy Birthday, United States of America!” exclaimed Petri.

There were 150 people from 50 globe-spanning countries sitting in front of the small stage as they prepared to be sworn in as U.S. citizens on the July Fourth holiday and America’s 250th birthday. Among them was U.S. Marine Sgt. Diakaria Sangare from Guinea, who attended in his pressed Dress Blue uniform with three medals pinned to his left breast.

Sangare had served two deployments, and, like all assembled, had gone through the long citizenship process: The test, interviews, green cards and biometrics. Others in the crowd, it was said, came from countries bathed in violence. Some fled persecution.

After a speech about Washington, the crowd was asked to rise for the national anthem.

They did. Their hats came off and their hands covered their hearts. The paddle fans calmed.

The singer belted the words: “And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there” — as Sangare held his right hand in a rigid salute, his face sober.

As the song concluded, the soon-to-be citizens clapped and returned to their seats, while another speaker asked them to stand and remain standing when their country was called.

“Albania.”

A woman in the front row with long black hair rose with a broad grin, a small U.S. flag in her hand.

“Bangladesh.”

A man in a black shirt stood. The Albanian woman, looking back, beamed at him.

It went on for 50 countries, through China and El Salvador and Iraq and Mongolia, as people stood, sometimes smiling, sometimes sedate.

At “Morocco,” a man in the back thrusts his fists in the air in support. A young boy looked up at him and then did the same, a little flag in his fist.

Then the crowd, with hands raised, recited an Oath of Allegiance, not so different from the oath Washington signed in 1778.

“Congratulations,” they were told. “You just became U.S. citizens.”

There was applause and laughter, then the Pledge of Allegiance. Sangare, his hand now over his heart, closed his eyes for a moment.

Nearby stood a tulip poplar tree, planted at Washington’s direction 250 years ago, that had lived through America’s history.

The next speaker, historian Douglas Bradburn, pointed it out in his speech before the day’s special guest.

“All the stories that are part of you, now become American stories,” said Bradburn. “When people ask me what are American people like, I now can talk about you, and your stories.”

“The second side of that is that, now, all America’s stories, and our history, are your stories. The father of your country is George Washington.”

The first president, it turned out, was the next speaker.

As he was introduced, the re-enactor stood by a massive draped American flag, a sword scabbard on his hip. Then he donned the stage, doffed his cap to the audience, and began to speak.

“Today the name of ‘American’ belongs to you every bit as much as it does to me,” he said. He spoke to their arduous journeys to this point and their histories, now merged with America.

“So, my fellow Americans, to you, I say simply: ‘Welcome home’.”

Afterward, Sangare, the U.S. Marine, posed for a portrait, hands clasped in front of him, holding the American flag paddle fan, his Marine cap slightly askew.

“I just became a United States citizen,” he said, his emotions pushing out in an earnest smile.

____ Bedayn reported from Austin, Texas.

Tens of thousands of far-left protesters flooded the streets and clashed with police in the Germany city of Erfurt on Saturday as they protested the conservative Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Videos showed police beating back agitators with batons and deploying anti-riot ordnance as the demonstrators chanted against the country’s conservative Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in a massive political rally.

Police said over 30,000 people attended the demonstrations, according to the Associated Press (AP), and people could be seen carrying signs reading “Stop AfD Nazis” and “For Diversity, Against Nazis.”

‘YOU’RE DESTROYING YOUR COUNTRIES’: IS EUROPE FINALLY HEEDING TRUMP’S WARNING ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION?

Despite the tense clashes caught on video, police told news outlets the demonstrations have been “mostly peaceful,” and claimed they’ve recorded approximately 100 law violations, mostly due to graffiti.

The protests coincided with AfD’s party conference and leadership elections during which the party, the second largest parliamentary group in Germany’s Bundestag parliament, re-elected Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as the party co-leaders.

The mass demonstrations delayed AfD’s vote, prompting Chrupalla to criticize the method in which agitators expressed their dissatisfaction.

THE OLDEST HATRED IS BACK: HOW IT’S CONSUMING EUROPE AND CROSSING THE ATLANTIC

“There are no peaceful seated blockades. There are no democratic roadblocks. Nor are there any gangs of thugs who deserve the harmless label ‘civil society.’ These troublemakers are the last resort of our political rivals,” Chrupalla said, according to the AP.

Chrupalla also accused the protesters of acting anti-democratically. “They believe they have a monopoly on democracy. To these demonstrators I say: this democracy is just as much our democracy as it is yours.”

A spokesperson for local antifascist group widersetzen explicitly claimed that the group’s intention was to block AfD’s party convention.

PRESIDENT ALEKSANDAR VUČIĆ: EUROPE VILIFIES TRUMP, BUT WE IN SERBIA SEE A FRIEND

“The AfD pursues fascist policies: It wants mass deportations and terror on the streets. At the same time, however, it doesn’t solve a single real problem,” widersetzen spokesperson Lena Raupach told the AP. “It pursues policies that benefit the rich, not ordinary citizens. And we at widersetzen want a society in which all people have equal opportunities and equal security. We want a society based on solidarity.”

AfD, while fighting accusations of extremism from citizens and center-left and center-right politicians in the country’s ruling coalition, rejects the notion that it is extreme, arguing it is “being used as a political instrument by mainstream parties,” according to the AP.

The party has been experiencing a historic surge in popularity in recent years, grabbing over 20% of the national vote in federal elections in 2025 with an eye on capturing even more in the next election. Some federal polls have the party ranked as the most popular in the country today.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“We will win. Maybe we’ll be able to govern alone soon,” Chrupalla said Saturday. “That would send the right message to the enemies of democracy out there who wanted to prevent our party convention from taking place.”

Partygoers widely support the conservative moment fashioned by President Donald Trump and the party shares similar stances on social, cultural and domestic issues as the Trump administration, particularly on immigration. Perhaps inspired by Trump’s trademark slogan, one party conference attendee Saturday could be seen sporting a “Make Germany Great Again” hat.