Happy Independence Day! New York and Washington lead the nation in Fourth of July fireworks celebrations By Fiona Roberts
Last updated at 9:44 AM on 5th July 2011
The nation's most extravagant display of July 4 fireworks was a triumphant celebration that turned solemn briefly to commemorate the 10-year mark since the September 11 attacks. Tens of thousands of people from all over the world streamed to Manhattan's West Side to see the pyrotechnics show over the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey, featuring more than 40,000 shells exploding in choreographed, multicolored progression. The show, sponsored by Macy's, paid tribute to the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty's début in New York Harbour. Fireworks blasted off from six barges along the river to heights of 1,000 feet. As 'Amazing Grace' was sung, bursts of golden fireworks lit up the sky to pay tribute to victims of 9/11. Big cheers broke out in the crowd during the finale. Today President Barack Obama hosted a barbecue at the White House, while thousands of revellers camped out by the Washington Monument to catch a glimpse of the annual fireworks display. Red white and blue: Fireworks explode over the Hudson River in New York Cheer up, it's a party! President Barack Obama picks up a child as he greets military families during Independence Day celebrations on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington Big Apple: The Empire State Building is illuminated with red, white and blue lights from across the East River in New York  Capitol: The Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington is lit up as fireworks burst in front of the Washington memorial Spectacular: A view of fireworks above the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial and Memorial Bridge on the National Mall in Washington
 Embrace: U.S. Marines Jenna Ahles, 20, right, and Jack Eubanks, 25, kiss while fireworks explode over Washington while viewing from the Jefferson Memorial
 Stunned: Spectators watch fireworks explode over the Hudson River from 42nd street New York Star-studded event: Beyonce rehearses before the annual Macy's fireworks show in New York tonight, in which 40,000 fireworks exploded from the Hudson
Gaze: People watch as fireworks are shot over the National Mall in Washington, DC from along the shore of the Potomac River Getting ready: A military colour guard prepares for the playing of the National Anthem during the Boston Pops Fourth of July concert rehearsal last night Thanks: U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle stand with U.S. servicemen Walkabout: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk from the Truman Balcony as they go to greet members of the crowd Go Bulls: President Obama greets a man who identified himself as a fellow Chicagoan at the White House's Independence Day barbeque Heave! President Obama holds up a baby as he greets members of his staff and military servicemen and women Our nation tis of thee: Young woman roar with delight as they await fireworks near the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington DC Distant celebration: U.S. soldiers eat a Fourth of July-themed lunch in honour of Independence Day at Camp Clark in Mandozai district, Khost province, Afghanistan Celebration: U.S. soldiers cut an Independence Day cake in the Mandozai district, top, and below, outgoing U.S. commander General David Petraeus gives a speech to 235 soldiers re-enlisting in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. It's his last Fourth of July in uniform
Far-flung patriotism: U.S. guided-missile destroyer U.S.S McCampbell (DDG 85) sails past the Opera House in Sydney, Australia on the Fourth of July
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