Canada honours U.S. independence with joint fighter jet fly-past over Ottawa Saturday

As the United States celebrates 250 years of independence, Canada is marking the milestone with a series of symbolic gestures highlighting the countries' long-standing friendship.

The Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Air Force are set to conduct a ceremonial fly-past over Ottawa Saturday evening around 6:30 p.m. ET as part of the capital's annual Fourth of July celebrations. The flypast will feature two Canadian CF-18 Hornets flying alongside two U.S. F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, a demonstration reflecting the close military partnership between the two countries through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Beyond the military display, Niagara Falls will be illuminated in red, white, and blue. Canadian military vessels will join the Sail250 celebrations in Norfolk, Baltimore, and New York City. In a gift of symbolic friendship, Canada will plant 250 maple trees in Washington, D.C., and across the 13 states that border Canada.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canadians and Americans have "built our friendship and prosperity one generation at a time." He added, "Together, we have raised a monument to peace that is an inspiration to the entire world." King Charles III also marked the anniversary, noting the U.S.-United Kingdom relationship has been built on "friendship, trust and a belief in liberty, the rule of law and the dignity of all people."