Trump launches 250th birthday celebration on Washington’s National Mall, in photos

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Trump launches 250th birthday celebration on Washington’s National Mall, in photos

2026-06-25 10:15 Last Updated At：11:55

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump launched celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary with a rally on Washington’s National Mall, opening the 16-day Great American State Fair. The event marks the start of 16 days of festivities honoring the nation’s 1776 founding, with themed days celebrating the military, health initiatives, patriotism and Independence Day as the country begins commemorating its semiquincentennial.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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People record the F-35 formation flyover as it approaches the Washington Monument during the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

People arrive ahead of President Donald Trump's speech at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Wreaths honoring U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service are laid before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Audience members listen to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Christopher Maccihio sings before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A person watches the stage before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

FBI Director Kash Patel listens to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A B-2 stealth bomber and escorts, fly over the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Christopher Maccihio sings before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A child looks toward the stage before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A person cools down with a portable fan ahead of President Donald Trump's speech at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his family, listen to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington, as Education Secretary Linda McMahon, looks on, left. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Donald Trump stands on stage after speaking at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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People record the F-35 formation flyover as it approaches the Washington Monument during the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

People arrive ahead of President Donald Trump's speech at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Wreaths honoring U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service are laid before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Audience members listen to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Christopher Maccihio sings before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A person watches the stage before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

FBI Director Kash Patel listens to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A B-2 stealth bomber and escorts, fly over the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Christopher Maccihio sings before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A child looks toward the stage before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A person cools down with a portable fan ahead of President Donald Trump's speech at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his family, listen to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington, as Education Secretary Linda McMahon, looks on, left. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Donald Trump stands on stage after speaking at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Mexico beats Czech Republic 3-0 to win all 3 World Cup group-stage matches for 1st time

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mateo Chávez and Julián Quiñones scored in a six-minute span early in the second half, and Mexico beat the Czech Republic 3-0 on Wednesday night to win all three of its World Cup group-stage matches for the first time.

The 22-year-old Chávez, in his first World Cup, opened the scoring in the 55th minute and Quiñones scored his second goal of the tournament in the 61st. Alvaro Fidalgo added a goal in second-half stoppage time.

Mexico's previous best group-stage performance was two wins and one draw, done in 1986 and 2002 and both featuring Javier Aguirre, the first as a midfielder and the second as El Tri's coach. Aguirre is back as coach this year, his third stint leading the team.

Already the winner of Group A, Mexico will play again at Estadio Azteca on Tuesday in a round-of-32 match against an opponent to be determined.

Mexico is undefeated at nine World Cup matches at the massive stadium, which was packed with 80,824 fans on Wednesday. El Tri has only two losses at Azteca, most recently in World Cup qualifying against Honduras on Sept. 6, 2013.

The match included nods to Mexico’s past and future. Gilberto Mora, at age 17, became the youngest Mexico player to start in a World Cup. And 40-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa entered in the 77th minute, joining Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to appear in six World Cups.

Mexico's triumph was marred, however, by the return of a homophobic chant by fans that has previously led to fines and other sanctions against its soccer federation. The chant, a one-word slur that literally means male prostitute in Spanish, was heard near the end of the first half when Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar took a goal kick.

The Czech Republic was eliminated, finishing with one point in three games.

Mexico is unbeaten in 11 games dating to a friendly loss against Panama last November. And Aguirre has made the most of his roster, using 25 of 26 players in the tournament. Chávez was one of five starters Wednesday who did not start last Thursday's 1-0 win over South Korea.

Ochoa, who wears No. 13, played the last 13 minutes, plus stoppage time, in what's likely to be his final appearance for Mexico. He turns 41 on July 13 and has said he plans to retire from international competition after the World Cup.

He was a substitute in the 2006 and 2010 tournaments and started for Mexico in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Raúl Rangel is the starter this year, stepping in for the injured Luis Ángel Malagón, who helped Mexico win the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup last year. Malagón's injury opened the door for Ochoa's return.

Ochoa became the oldest Mexican to play in the World Cup. The previous record holder was Cuauhtémoc Blanco, who was 37 when he played in South Africa in 2014.

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Trump launches 250th birthday celebration on Washington’s National Mall, in photos

Trump launches 250th birthday celebration on Washington’s National Mall, in photos

People record the F-35 formation flyover as it approaches the Washington Monument during the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

People arrive ahead of President Donald Trump's speech at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Wreaths honoring U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service are laid before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Audience members listen to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Christopher Maccihio sings before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A person watches the stage before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

FBI Director Kash Patel listens to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A B-2 stealth bomber and escorts, fly over the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Christopher Maccihio sings before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A child looks toward the stage before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A person cools down with a portable fan ahead of President Donald Trump's speech at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his family, listen to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington, as Education Secretary Linda McMahon, looks on, left. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Donald Trump stands on stage after speaking at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

People record the F-35 formation flyover as it approaches the Washington Monument during the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

People arrive ahead of President Donald Trump's speech at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Wreaths honoring U.S. Park Police and the National Park Service are laid before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Audience members listen to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Christopher Maccihio sings before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A person watches the stage before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

FBI Director Kash Patel listens to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A B-2 stealth bomber and escorts, fly over the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Christopher Maccihio sings before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

A child looks toward the stage before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A person cools down with a portable fan ahead of President Donald Trump's speech at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

People arrive before President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and his family, listen to speakers at the opening of the Great American State Fair, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington, as Education Secretary Linda McMahon, looks on, left. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Donald Trump stands on stage after speaking at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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