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Disney Celebrates America live updates: Rare look inside Statue of Liberty

The coverage kicks off Friday, July 3, and goes through Saturday, July 4.

ByEmily Shapiro and Jon Haworth
Last Updated: July 4, 2026, 6:16 AM 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.

Key Headlines

Follow along with the celebrations:
2:17 AM EDT

New York City's Times Square ball to drop 8 times for July 4 celebration

The iconic Times Square ball in New York City will descend on a date other than New Year's Eve for the first time as part of a historic Independence Day celebration marking America's 250th birthday.

The celebration will feature eight ball drops marking midnight across every U.S. time zone and inhabited territory, beginning in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands and ending in American Samoa, according to an announcement by the organizer, America250.

The organizer said the rolling countdown is designed to unite Americans across the country during the nation's semiquincentennial celebration.

The eight ball drops are part of the inaugural Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show, a live special from One Times Square in New York City.

PHOTO: The Times Square rolling ball drops to mark Fourth of July in every American time zone
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 event also launches Giving 4th, a nationwide initiative encouraging Americans to support charitable organizations and volunteer in their communities in honor of the country's 250th birthday.

The celebration begins with the first Times Square ball drop at 10 a.m. ET on July 3, marking midnight in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The traditional 11:59 p.m. ET countdown to the ball drop at midnight in New York will serve as the centerpiece of the nationwide celebration before the countdown continues through the remaining U.S. time zones and territories.

The final ball drop is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET on July 4, marking midnight in American Samoa.

-ABC News' Shafiq Najib

Jul 03, 2026, 10:15 PM EDT

250th celebration begins with rare look from Statue of Liberty's torch

"World News Tonight" anchor David Muir kicked off ABC News' celebration of America's 250th birthday by climbing up through Lady Liberty's right arm to reach the torch, standing over 300 feet in the air.

Read more and see photos.

David Muir climbed up through Lady Liberty's right arm with Matt Housch, a historian with the National Park Service.
ABC News
Jul 03, 2026, 9:09 PM EDT

A look at celebrations leading up to 250th anniversary in US -- and around the world

From the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, here's a look at preparations and festivities for the United States' 250th birthday.

PHOTO: America 250
A couple takes a selfie in front of a large "USA" installation in Huntington Beach, Calif., Friday, July 3, 2026, ahead of the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Jae C. Hong/AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
PHOTO: The Eiffel Tower lights up to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States' declaration of independence, in Paris
The Eiffel Tower is illuminated in the colours of the U.S. flag to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States' declaration of independence, in Paris, France, July 3, 2026.
Tom Nicholson/Reuters
PHOTO: Romania America 250
People sit on the steps of the Romanian Athenaeum, a 19th century built concert hall, as the U.S. flag is projected on it's facade ahead of United States Independence Day, in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, July 3, 2026.
Andreea Alexandru/AP Photo
PHOTO: A Tribute To America On The National Mall In D.C. Celebrates America's 250th
People wait in a long line to enter the Florida tent at The Great American State Fair after it was reopened following an earlier closure due to extreme temperatures on July 03, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Freedom 250-backed Great American State Fair celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States closed from 1PM until 5PM due to high temperatures. The fair runs through July 10th.
Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images
PHOTO: Tall ships sail near Sandy Hook ahead of U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations
Peru's BAP Union tall ship sails near Sandy Hook, New Jersey, ahead of the upcoming U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations, July 3, 2026.
Vincent Alban/Reuters
Jul 03, 2026, 4:42 PM EDT

Guests encouraged to prepare for heat at concert at US Capitol

Due to the extreme heat, gates will open at 7 p.m. Friday for the 8 p.m. Capitol Fourth Concert at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., police said.

The heat index -- what temperature it feels like with humidity -- was forecast to hit a scorching 113 degrees in D.C. on Friday.

"To ensure a safe concert, all guests are strongly encouraged to bring an ample supply of water," Capitol police said. "Non-glass water bottles and coolers are allowed."

A girl cools off during extreme heat in the Washington region as The Great American State Fair is temporarily closed due to heat on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on July 3, 2026.
Cheney Orr/Reuters

In Philadelphia, the Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade set for Friday has been canceled due to the dangerous heat wave, according to Philadelphia ABC station WPVI.

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