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US celebrates 231st Independence Day |
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16:01, July 05, 2007 |
Independence Day celebrations were planned yesterday across the United States on a day that would include thousands of immigrants becoming citizens and heightened security following attempted car bombings in Britain.
In Washington, D.C., security was increased on the National Mall as organizers sought to reassure visitors.
Hundreds of emergency responders from about 20 law enforcement agencies were on duty, authorities said. A police helicopter was to monitor crowds from above, and officers were urged to be on alert for vehicles that looked suspicious, for instance with protruding wires or an unusual smell.
As with past July 4 festivities since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the mall was fenced off and visitors will be required to pass through security checkpoints.
Independence Day festivities in Washington was scheduled to include a parade on Constitution Avenue, a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra on the West Lawn of the Capitol and a 20-minute fireworks show.
In New York, the Fourth of July fireworks display billed as the country's biggest introduces a pyrotechnic novelty: exploding shells aimed at the water, not the sky.
The so-called nautical shells are supposed to explode on the surface of the East River, remaining illuminated for a few seconds before fading out, said Robin Hall, executive producer of the Macy's Fourth of July display.
Dry weather conditions have curtailed the use of fireworks in several areas around the country, including parts of Colorado and Washington state.
Before the fireworks begin, thousands of immigrants were expected to be sworn in as new American citizens during special ceremonies across the country.
Although July 4th citizenship ceremonies are an annual event, officials have seen a surge in applications this year as the naturalization process has been streamlined and applicants race to beat fee increases, said Marie Sebrechts, a US Citizenship and Immigration Services spokeswoman.
Source: China Daily/agencies
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