美国民众庆祝独立日

The annual Independence Day celebration across the United States was capped off Wednesday with the traditional nighttime fireworks displays in many cities. 

In Washington, D.C., a large crowd gathered at the U.S. Capitol for a patriotic concert watched as fireworks lit up the sky behind the Washington Monument, while New Yorkers were watching a spectacular fireworks show above the famed New York Harbor, home of the Statue of Liberty.

Earlier Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed 25 active-duty U.S. service members as new American citizens sworn in at the White House. The president later paid tribute to the military families and invited them to join him for a barbecue and a performance by the U.S. Marine Corps Band.

In his speech, Mr. Obama said "immigration makes America stronger." The 25 who took the oath of allegiance to their new home come from 17 different countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria and Russia. 

This year, the 4th of July marks the 236th anniversary of the country's declaration of independence from Britain.

Across the country, citizens display the American flag and proudly wear its colors of red, white and blue as a symbol of the nation's freedom.

Fireworks also will light the night skies over hallowed battlefields from the War of 1812 and America's 19th century Civil War.  Similar festivities are slated for Philadelphia -- the nation's first capital -- Annapolis, Maryland and New York City.

New York City's beach resort area, Coney Island, celebrated July 4 with an annual hot dog-eating contest. Contenders had 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as possible.