President Donald Trump speaks in front of the Lincoln Memorial during his "Salute to America" event on Thursday, July 4.
In photos: Trump's Fourth of July celebration
President Donald Trump speaks in front of the Lincoln Memorial during his "Salute to America" event on Thursday, July 4.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

Updated 0039 GMT (0839 HKT) July 05, 2019

Washington always puts on a show for the Fourth of July, but this year President Donald Trump added his own Independence Day event.

The "Salute to America" ceremony, held at the Lincoln Memorial, featured military flyovers, music and a speech from the President himself.

"As we gather this evening, in the joy of freedom, we remember that all share a truly extraordinary heritage," Trump told the crowd at the start of his speech. "Together we are part of one of the greatest stories ever told, the story of America."

The event drew considerable scrutiny in the days leading up to it. There was concern that it would politicize the military. There were also critics who said the event, with its massive VIP section and tickets for political donors, had the sheen of a partisan affair.

Washington's annual fireworks display was moved to a nearby park to accommodate the event, but it was expected to be longer than usual this year thanks to donations from fireworks manufacturers.

Trump and Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, watch one of the flyovers during the "Salute to America" event. While most of the top US military brass attended the event, some had prior engagements planned and couldn't attend.
Trump and Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, watch one of the flyovers during the "Salute to America" event. While most of the top US military brass attended the event, some had prior engagements planned and couldn't attend.
Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images
Audience members take photos of one of the flyovers near one of the armored vehicles that was parked there for the event. The vehicles arrived by train on Tuesday night. They weren't driven on streets because they could have damaged them.
Audience members take photos of one of the flyovers near one of the armored vehicles that was parked there for the event. The vehicles arrived by train on Tuesday night. They weren't driven on streets because they could have damaged them.
Alex Brandon/AP
Air Force jets fly over the Lincoln Memorial during Trump's speech. Trump introduced aircraft from all different branches of the military.
Air Force jets fly over the Lincoln Memorial during Trump's speech. Trump introduced aircraft from all different branches of the military.
Alex Brandon/AP
The President delivered his speech behind bulletproof glass. He struck a patriotic tone in <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-washington-dc-july-4-2019/h_a70dff7abf7bd57b33e7f57186e8bcb1" target="_blank">a largely apolitical speech</a> running approximately 45 minutes, including the flyovers.
The President delivered his speech behind bulletproof glass. He struck a patriotic tone in a largely apolitical speech running approximately 45 minutes, including the flyovers.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
The Blue Angels, the US Navy's flight demonstration squadron, perform after the President's closing remarks.
The Blue Angels, the US Navy's flight demonstration squadron, perform after the President's closing remarks.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
A drum corps performs at the Lincoln Memorial. Among the ceremonial military units performing at the event were the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the US Army Band ("Pershing's Own") and the US Marine Corps Silent Drill Team.
A drum corps performs at the Lincoln Memorial. Among the ceremonial military units performing at the event were the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the US Army Band ("Pershing's Own") and the US Marine Corps Silent Drill Team.
JOSHUA ROBERTS/REUTERS
Crowds gather around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to watch Trump speak. It was Trump's first speech at the National Mall since his inauguration.
Crowds gather around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to watch Trump speak. It was Trump's first speech at the National Mall since his inauguration.
Susan Walsh/AFP/Getty Images
Trump and his wife, Melania, arrive for the event. Presidents haven't traditionally delivered public remarks on the Fourth of July, much less an address on the National Mall. Usually the holiday is marked with a picnic for service members and their families on the White House South Lawn, followed by a viewing of fireworks over the Washington Monument.
Trump and his wife, Melania, arrive for the event. Presidents haven't traditionally delivered public remarks on the Fourth of July, much less an address on the National Mall. Usually the holiday is marked with a picnic for service members and their families on the White House South Lawn, followed by a viewing of fireworks over the Washington Monument.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
People attend the "Salute to America" event. Roughly 15,000 tickets were being issued for the event, and 500 of those were given for VIPs, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/02/politics/vip-tickets-white-house-show/index.html" target="_blank">CNN reported.</a>
People attend the "Salute to America" event. Roughly 15,000 tickets were being issued for the event, and 500 of those were given for VIPs, CNN reported.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
Trump holds his hand out, feeling for raindrops, before the start of his event.
Trump holds his hand out, feeling for raindrops, before the start of his event.
Alex Brandon/AP