How Philadelphia threw America a 250th birthday party to remember

The big picture: Philly's big celebration reflected the contradictions that have defined the nation since its founding — pomp, protest and hometown pride all unfolded in the city where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence.

• Nothing dampened the mood — not the extreme heat that forced the cancellation of the Independence Day parade, nor a three-hour lightning delay that temporarily emptied the Parkway.
• As Seal sang "Fly Like an Eagle," more than 68,000 fans packed Philadelphia Stadium to watch France and Kylian Mbappé face Paraguay in a World Cup knockout match.

Zoom in: By the time Mbappé coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and buried a penalty in the 70th minute, people were streaming into Eakins Oval as the sun mercifully began to set after a day of record-breaking heat.

• Earlier, dozens of Benjamin Franklins — many donning wigs and tricorn hats — gathered at the Liberty Bell for a spirited lookalike contest.
• "They cannot cancel the Bens," organizer Elena Jackdoff told the crowd.
• Nearby, activists at the President's House exhibit — the site of a tense court battle between the city and the Trump administration — reminded visitors that even 250 years later, the nation is reckoning with its history.

What they're saying: "People can come here and just work their hardest, lift themselves up in a land of opportunity," Jacob Erling, 36, told Axios on the Parkway before the storm blew in.

• His mother immigrated from Brazil decades ago and later started her own window-installation company.
• Inspired by her example, Erling launched a web development company three years ago. He's endured many sleepless nights getting it off the ground and said he's finally "turning the corner."

Flash forward: A few hours later, the party was back on.

• "Saturday in the park. I think it was the Fourth of July." Technically, it was Sunday when the Roots returned to the stage.
• As brassy jazz spilled from a tuba, Black Thought took the mic.
• "We're just getting started," he said, before introducing a packed lineup of legends.

• Kathy Sledge opened with "He's the Greatest Dancer," then invited two audience members on stage who, admittedly, weren't the greatest dancers — which only added to the charm of the show.
• Convinced his performance was a no-go, Meek Mill told the crowd he left town during the storm delays but then returned after the city decided to keep the concert going.
• He sent spectators into overdrive with a fired-up rendition of "I'm a Boss," as the clock inched toward 2am.

Between the lines: Philadelphia had become a living time capsule — Revolutionary history by day, global sporting stage by evening and hometown concert stretching into the early morning hours.

When Mill ceded the stage, it was DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince's turn.

• Smith offered a smooth delivery of "Brand New Funk" that kept the crowd moving before "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It."
• Later, he thanked Cherelle Parker — "Miss Mayor," as he called her — for holding "it down" when the weather made it seem as though the celebration might never resume.

"I'm on stage in my hometown on the Fourth of July with The Roots," he told the crowd, shortly before fireworks burst across the sky. "Every dream that I ever dreamed started on these streets."

The bottom line: "This city didn't only raise me," Smith declared. "This city raised a nation."