Fourth of July: Washington DC, NYC Macy's fireworks light up the sky on 249th US Independence Day | In Pics

Fourth of July celebrations: Americans paraded down main streets in patriotic red, white and blue on July 4 to mark 249 years of Independence. US citizens celebrated the ratification of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 with flags, hot dogs and fireworks display.

From Washington DC, New York City, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Niagara Falls, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Nashville, St Louis, San Diego, Seward to Alaska and Philadelphia, fireworks illuminated the skies on 249th US Independence Day.

As fireworks remain the centre of US Independence Day celebrations, let's have a look how United States' citizens celebrated the nation's birthday.

The origin of elaborate fireworks display across the US can be traced back to Founding Father John Adams. In a letter dated July 3, 1776, addressed to wife, Abigail, Adams mentioned that commemoration of America’s independence “ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

Biggest and most dazzling fireworks crackled up the skies during this year’s Macy’s Fourth of July celebrations. A record-breaking 80,000 fireworks illuminated the skies 1,000 feet above the Brooklyn Bridge and East River. New York City skyline was lit like never before on Friday after more than 30 different colours and patterns illuminated the night sky of New York City. The 30-minute-long pyrotechnics featured 11 fresh effects.

The fireworks show in New York City not only included “crackling crown jellyfish, atomic rings, yellow & green sunbursts, strobing lemon cascades, comet fans & more,” as reported by The New York Post, but also featured American flag.

Fireworks display cancelled

Incessant rains lashed south-central Texas on Friday, causing flash flood emergency for parts of Kerr County. Heavy rains in Kerville caused Guadalupe river to overflow which resulted in cancellation of July Fourth fireworks displays, Reuters reported. The site where US Independence Day celebration scheduled to take place was submerged by swollen river.