President Donald Trump addressed a crowd Tuesday evening at the Freedom 250 rally on the National Mall, marking the start of nationwide celebrations for the United States’ 250th anniversary. The event, held near the Washington Monument, launched a 16-day festival entitled the “Great American State Fair.”

During his remarks, Trump characterized the United States as a “young” nation yet “superior to any nation that’s ever been built,” emphasizing its connection to Western civilization. He described the current period as the “Golden Age of America,” stating that there has “never been an age like this.”

Trump called the anniversary a moment not only to honor the nation’s history but also to focus on future possibilities. “This is the very beginning of the Golden Age of America. We’re in the Golden Age,” he said, before adding, “the best is yet to come.” The president urged Americans to increase their aspirations and expectations for the country moving forward.

The Freedom 250 event served as the ceremonial opening of what organizers have dubbed a grand commemoration of the nation’s founding, featuring a series of events over the next two weeks across the capital and other sites nationwide.