US celebrates Independence-Day amidst rains

NEW YORK: Scintillating fireworks display on the East River here marked the spectacular finale to the day-long celebration of the United States 231st birthday.

More than three million people watched the half-an-hour pyrotechnic display amidst heavy rain last night, an annual event sponsored by Macy's department store, which includes parades, concerts, and competitions like the traditional hotdog eating.

But this year's celebrations were held in a strong umbrella of security with hundreds of law enforcement officials and specialised team employed to tackle terrorist threat at all the major cities following terrorist incidents in London and Glasgow.

The fireworks were cancelled in some parts of the country reeling under drought for the fear that they might ignite bone dry grass.

A total of 40,000 shells were fired from eight barges which gives an average of 1,300 shells per minute. For the first time, the show featured fireworks which exploded on hitting the surface of water illuminating it for a while.

Weathermen had predicted rain and thunderstorms at the time of the event.

In Disney World, 1,000 people from several countries took oath to become the US citizens. Some 425 active duty personnel of the US armed forces are expected to take oath of citizenship in Iraq, Guam, Germany, Kuwait and South Korea during this week.