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USA 250

Historic Times Square Ball drop marks America’s 250th birthday

July 4, 2026, 12:12 p.m. ET
A ball drops to mark the stroke of midnight in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, the first U.S. time zones to reach Independence Day , as the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary , in New York City, U.S., July 3, 2026. Unlike on New Year's Eve, the ball won't drop just once, but eight times for the first time ever to mark when the clock strikes midnight in each American time zone, according to the America250 website . This also will be the first time the ball has dropped for a July 4 celebration.
A ball drops to mark the stroke of midnight in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, the first U.S. time zones to reach Independence Day, as the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary, in New York City, U.S., July 3, 2026.

Unlike on New Year's Eve, the ball won't drop just once, but eight times for the first time ever to mark when the clock strikes midnight in each American time zone, according to the America250 website. This also will be the first time the ball has dropped for a July 4 celebration.
Christian Monterrosa, REUTERS
People visit Times Square before a ball drops marking the stroke of midnight in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, the first U.S. time zones to reach Independence Day, as the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary, in New York City, U.S., July 3, 2026.
People visit Times Square before a ball drops marking the stroke of midnight in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, the first U.S. time zones to reach Independence Day, as the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary, in New York City, U.S., July 3, 2026.
Christian Monterrosa, REUTERS
A sign to mark the Fourth of July celebrations, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
A sign to mark the Fourth of July celebrations, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
People celebrate after the Times Square rolling ball dropped to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 4, 2026.
People celebrate after the Times Square rolling ball dropped to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 4, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
A woman waves a U.S. flag as people celebrate after the Times Square rolling ball dropped to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 4, 2026.
A woman waves a U.S. flag as people celebrate after the Times Square rolling ball dropped to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 4, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
The Times Square rolling ball drops to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 4, 2026.
The Times Square rolling ball drops to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 4, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
The Times Square ahead of the rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
The Times Square ahead of the rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
People gather to attend the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
People gather to attend the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
People gather to attend the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
People gather to attend the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
People gather to attend the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
People gather to attend the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
People watch the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 4, 2026.
People watch the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 4, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
A person draped in colors of the U.S. flag attends the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
A person draped in colors of the U.S. flag attends the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
People watch the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 4, 2026.
People watch the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 4, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
People gather to attend the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
People gather to attend the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
People gather to attend the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
People gather to attend the Times Square rolling ball drop to mark Fourth of July, as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary on Independence Day, in New York, U.S. July 3, 2026.
Angelina Katsanis, REUTERS
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