Today marks the Semiquincentennial — 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. The centerpiece national celebration is the Salute to America on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., featuring military flyovers, performances, presidential remarks, and the largest fireworks display in American history. Salute to America Celebration & Fireworks (National Mall, Washington, D.C.) Location: Washington Monument Grounds / National Mall. Schedule highlights (all times ET): Day

On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces conducted a large-scale strike in Caracas, Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a dramatic operation tied to narcoterrorism charges; President Trump announced the U.S. would "run" or exert control over Venezuela temporarily, sparking global condemnation from China, Cuba (which mourned 32 killed Cuban fighters), and others, while triggering protests...