Party across the US

It is a 4th of July tradition, coast to coast firework displays across the United States of America. But this year there was an even greater outpouring of national unity as America celebrated its first Independence Day since the 11 September terrorist attacks.

From the Atlantic to the Pacific seaboards, Americans lit up the sky last night with spectacular pyrotechnics on the nation's 226th birthday. Particularly dramatic was New York's show. Thousands waving flags and dressed in red, white and blue lined the streets as the most famous skyline in the world was illuminated by mass of colour.

In Washington, crowds gathered on the National Mall to see a dazzling display. One, Shirley Jones, 18, said: "Coming here today is like telling the terrorists they cannot scare us, no matter what they do."