That message seemed to reverberate as much as ever as the United States marked the year before its 250th birthday, even amid an undercurrent of uncertainty. Some at the parade talked about their mixed feelings about celebrating America, even as Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” blared on the speakers.

San Jose replaced its traditional July 4 fireworks with a drone show due to a tragedy at a Yolo County fireworks facility.

Officials in San Jose announced that a 4th of July drone show would take place at Lake Cunningham after Tuesday's explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Yolo County led to the cancellation of the fireworks display.