4TH OF JULY | America celebrates

Several events ushered in the Fourth of July as the United States marked 239 years as an independent nation on Saturday. Here were some highlights of Independence Day celebrations:

Rainstorms drenched the region around the White house on Saturday, forcing a cancellation of an annual July Fourth picnic for military members and their families on the South Lawn. However, the U.S. Air Force Band was to perform Saturday evening on the Washington Monument grounds. The big event is the “Capitol Fourth” concert, featuring Barry Manilow and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Visitors to the National Archives building in Washington were invited to sign replicas of the Declaration of Independence. Some signed with a quill pen while others used modern writing instruments.

Naturalization ceremonies big and small took place across the U.S. Officials say more than 4,000 new citizens were welcomed in more than 50 naturalization ceremonies across the country from July 1 through July 4.

A pilot who delivered candy to children in Berlin at the end of World War II parachuted sweets down to Orem, Utah, to celebrate Independence Day. Gail Halvorsen, 94, also known as the “Candy Bomber,” dropped 1,000 chocolate bars attached to tiny parachutes at Scera Park on Friday.

Source: Associated Press