Unbelievable Scenes from America's 250th Celebration: What You Missed

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ABC News' Mary Bruce took viewers to the top of the fair's Ferris wheel.

Last Updated: July 4, 2026, 2:37 PM EDT

ABC is marking America's 250th anniversary with 24 hours of unparalleled programming called "Disney Celebrates America."

The multi-platform broadcast, led by ABC News "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir, features coverage across all 50 states, beginning July 3 and running through July 4.

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Follow along with the celebrations:

1 hour and 4 minutes ago

New citizens take oath at Jefferson's estate

ABC News' Steve Osunsami takes viewers to President Thomas Jefferson's estate in Monticello, Virginia, where 75 people were naturalized as citizens in a special ceremony. The new citizens hail from countries including Alegria and Ukraine.

New citizens take oathABC News' Steve Osunsami reports on the ceremony for 75 people who were naturalized as citizens at the estate of Thomas Jefferson.

ABCNews.com

1 hour and 56 minutes ago

Appalachian Mountains among '7 Natural Wonders of America'

ABC News’ Diane Sawyer revealed the Appalachian Mountains as one of the “7 Natural Wonders of America,” a list curated by ABC News and National Geographic celebrating awe-inspiring locations in the United States.

The Appalachians stretch 2,000 miles from Alabama to Canada, including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Among the other locations that made the “7 Natural Wonders of America" list are the Florida Everglades, the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park.

2 hours and 14 minutes ago

Eagle-eye view of the Great American State Fair

ABC News’ Mary Bruce is taking viewers to the top of the 110-foot-tall Ferris wheel at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.

Eagle-eye view of the Great American FairABC News' Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce is atop the 110-foot-tall Ferris wheel that is the centerpiece of the Great American Fair.

ABCNews.com

The dangerous heat abruptly closed the fair mid-day Friday, with organizers reopening the event later in the day. On Saturday, the Great American State Fair was initially scheduled to open at 10 a.m., but that was pushed to noon due to the heat wave.

2 hours and 33 minutes ago

Joey Chestnut, Miki Sudo win Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

Joey Chestnut was crowned the winner of the 2026 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest for the 18th time on Saturday, eating 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes at Coney Island.

Joey Chestnut wins the 2026 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York, on July 4, 2026.
Anna Connors/AP Photo