(The Center Square) – As a record-breaking heat wave sweeps across the central and eastern United States, two cities central to American independence have canceled their July 4 celebrations.

Philadelphia canceled its iconic Fourth of July parade, citing extreme heat warnings, as did Washington. D.C.—the city government, not the federal government which still has a massive celebration and fireworks show planned on the National Mall.

Elyse Apel, a graduate of Hillsdale College, is a reporter for The Center Square covering Minnesota and Michigan. Her work has appeared in a range of national outlets, including the Washington Examiner, The American Spectator, and The Daily Wire.

Originally published on thecentersquare.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.