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Disney Celebrates America live updates: Eagle-eye view of Great American State Fair

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

Last Updated: July 4, 2026, 5:04 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 and runs through the night of July 4.

2 hours and 57 minutes ago

Coast Guard surges resources to protect July 4 celebrations

ABC News’ Pierre Thomas embeds with the U.S. Coast Guard as they work to secure air, land and sea in the Washington, D.C.-area ahead of July 4th celebrations.
4:19
ABC News exclusive look as the military security preps for July 4th weekendABC News’ Pierre Thomas embeds with the U.S. Coast Guard as they work to secure air, land and sea in the Washington, D.C.-area ahead of July 4th celebrations.
ABCNews.com

The Coast Guard is surging resources to help secure July 4 celebrations in Washington, D.C., and around the country, the head of the agency said.

"We've surged over 1,000 additional people, in addition to our regular Coast Guard forces, 79 boats to 13 cities to make sure we are prepared for any contingency, and we can prevent or respond to any threat," Adm. Kevin Lunday, commandant of the Coast Guard told ABC News' Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas.

For the first time, a large swath of the Potomac around the D.C. monuments will be closed to boaters to make way for a larger than normal fireworks display on the Fourth.

Click here to read more.

2:37 PM EDT

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.

ABC News' Steve Osunsami reports on the ceremony for 75 people who were naturalized as citizens at the estate of Thomas Jefferson.
4:41
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
1:45 PM EDT

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.

1:27 PM EDT

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.

ABC News' Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce is atop the 110-foot-tall Ferris wheel that is the centerpiece of the Great American Fair.
1:36
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.

Visitors watch a flyover performance at Great American State Fair during Fourth of July celebrations on the National Mall, on July 4, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Finn Gomez/Getty Images

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