Fireworks to sparkle over Washington sky on July 4 after pandemic pause

WASHINGTON - The annual fireworks display on the National Mall will go ahead this July 4 as the United States recovers from the coronavirus pandemic that has nixed large gatherings for more than a year.

The National Park Service said on Tuesday the 17-minute display will be launched at 9:09 p.m. EDT (0109 GMT) on the Independence Day holiday, from both sides of the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. It is another sign the country is making a return to more normal times. President Joe Biden set July 4 as a target date to vaccinate 70% of American adults against COVID-19, which has killed 600,000 people in the United States.