Washington, July 5 -- Amidst the historic pageantry of the nation's 250th Independence Day, President Donald Trump transformed the National Mall into a living museum of American courage, using the ceremony to honour the legends who built, defended and defined the country.

Throughout the evening, the President wove the stories of veterans and heroes into a broader narrative of national unity, declaring, "We are ONE PEOPLE, ONE FAMILY, with ONE FLAG -- and as our Declaration of Independence tells us, we are all made in the image of one Almighty God."

The US President displayed one of the very first American flags ever made, reminding the crowd that these were the Stars and Stripes that flew triumphant when the British waved the white flag...