UPDATE:
7:30 p.m.
President Donald Trump stuck with a patriotic message during his Fourth of July "Salute to America" speech, steering clear of the political rhetoric many had expected.
Trump hailed an eclectic mix of history's heroes, from the armed forces, space, civil rights and other endeavors of American life. He largely adhered to his script, avoiding diversions into his agenda or re-election campaign.
Attendees were treated to flyovers by Coast Guard helicopters, Air Force F-22 fighters, Marine V-22 Osprey helicopters and other military aircraft.
The event ended with a flyover by the Navy's Blue Angels aerobatics team.
Trump was the first president in nearly seven decades to address a crowd at the National Mall on Independence Day.
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7:15 p.m.
President Donald Trump is paying tribute to each branch of the U.S. armed forces, hailing their history before flyovers by aircraft from each service.
Trump is speaking at the Lincoln Memorial during a special Fourth of July "Salute to America" event.
Attendees have been treated to flyovers by Coast Guard helicopters, Air Force F-22 fighters, Marine V-22 Osprey helicopters and other military aircraft.
The event is ending with a flyover by the Navy's Blue Angels aerobatics team.
Supporters have praised Trump's celebration of U.S. military clout, while protesters have assailed him for putting himself center stage on a holiday devoted to unity.
6:45 p.m.
President Donald Trump says "our nation is stronger than it ever was before."
Trump is speaking at the Lincoln Memorial during a special Fourth of July "Salute to America" event.
He says that "for Americans, nothing is impossible." He is reciting a litany of American accomplishments over its history, including the moon landing 50 years ago. And he is promising, "Very soon, we will plant the American flag on Mars."
Trump is also paying tribute to U.S. service members.
Supporters have praised Trump's celebration of U.S. military clout, while protesters have assailed him for putting himself center stage on a holiday devoted to unity.
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5:20 p.m.
President Donald Trump says the "future of American Freedom" lies with the men and women who are willing to defend it, as it did when America was founded.
That's according to the speech Trump plans to deliver Thursday at the Lincoln Memorial during a special "Salute to America" event. The White House released excerpts from the speech about an hour before the president was set to speak.
Trump says "there will be nothing that America cannot do" as long as Americans remember the nation's history and "never stop fighting for a better future."
Trump has ordered the Pentagon to stage military demonstrations, including a flyover of jets, helicopters and other aircraft, for the event that critics are calling a waste of taxpayer dollars and a needless glorification of Trump.
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EARLIER STORY:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Donald Trump is marking the 243rd anniversary of the Founding Fathers' adoption of the Declaration of Independence, an event he says "cast off the shackles of tyranny."
Trump says in an Independence Day message released by the White House that the country is celebrating the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and recognizing the "courageous" members of the armed services who "have valiantly defended them."
The Republican president says freedom rings "proudly throughout the United States and around the world because of the service and sacrifice of our nation's veterans and military members."
Trump is set to speak in the evening at the Lincoln Memorial. He has ordered the Pentagon to stage military demonstrations, including a flyover of jets, helicopters and other aircraft.
Trump says his "Salute to America" will be the "show of a lifetime."
