{
    "title": "US marks 250th anniversary with high-profile celebrations in Brussels",
    "modified_at": "2026-06-28 18:46:08",
    "published_at": "2026-06-28 18:46:00",
    "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/us-marks-250th-anniversary-with-high-profile-celebrations-in-brussels",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/9QJd",
    "culture": "en_BE",
    "language": "EN",
    "slug": "us-marks-250th-anniversary-with-high-profile-celebrations-in-brussels",
    "body": "<p><strong>On Sunday, US ambassador Bill White opened the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States in Brussels&#039; Parc du Cinquantenaire. Several speeches are scheduled, including those by prime minister Bart De Wever, NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte and European Parliament president Roberta Metsola. The event will end with a drone and fireworks display.</strong></p><p>White expects close to 9,000 guests to attend the event in the Belgian capital. &quot;8,850 people have registered,&quot; he said at a press conference on Sunday, noting that registrations surged after the American country act Zac Brown Band was announced to perform.</p><p>Asked about funding, the ambassador said he had raised more than 5 million dollars from over 220 donors. Both American and Belgian companies and private individuals contributed. Sponsors include American multinationals such as Meta, Microsoft, Nike and McDonald&#039;s, alongside Belgian names such as Leonidas, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Sabena, Van Moer Logistics and Sibelco.</p><p>When asked whether the event was designed to help repair transatlantic relations, White pointed to the two countries&#039; shared history. &quot;Let&#039;s ignore some of the media noise about provoking arguments or highlighting more division than actually exists,&quot; he said. &quot;We know we have a wonderful relationship that we must cherish and continue.&quot;</p><p>The event is causing some frustration among local residents, as the Parc du Cinquantenaire will remain closed from Saturday evening until Monday, with identity checks carried out by a private security firm. A protest was taking place on the other side of the park. &quot;I don&#039;t know what they&#039;re protesting against, but I&#039;d like to know,&quot; White said in response.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><sup>&copy; BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK</sup></p><hr /><p><strong>Related news</strong></p><div id=\"bookmark-da7f00f9-5d8e-40db-8f65-c811d7d5574c\"\n     class=\"release-content-bookmark release-content-bookmark--horizontal\">\n\n            <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__thumbnail\"\n           href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/foreign-minister-and-us-ambassador-move-to-repair-relations-after-diplomatic-dispute\"\n           rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n           target=\"_blank\"           style=\"background-image: url(https://prezly.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.uc.assets.prezly.com%2Ff0b9d32c-8f7f-4cd6-8397-a319d20f1703%2F-%2Fpreview%2F600x600%2F?ar=1%3A1&amp;fit=crop&amp;s=d53705aa0d1b7e7d71c2c3b771431079)\"\n        ></a>\n    \n    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__details\">\n\n                    <a class=\"release-content-bookmark__title\"\n               href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/foreign-minister-and-us-ambassador-move-to-repair-relations-after-diplomatic-dispute\"\n               rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n               target=\"_blank\"               data-type=\"bookmark\"\n               data-track=\"Story WebBookmark Click\"\n               data-placement=\"content\"\n               data-id=\"da7f00f9-5d8e-40db-8f65-c811d7d5574c\"\n           >\n                Foreign minister and US ambassador move to repair relations after diplomatic dispute            </a>\n        \n                    <div class=\"release-content-bookmark__description\">\n                The US ambassador to Belgium, Bill White, has indicated that he will drop the proposed US travel ban against Conner Rousseau, leader of socialist...            </div>\n        \n        <a href=\"https://www.belganewsagency.eu/\"\n           target=\"_blank\"\n           rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"\n           class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider\"\n        >\n            <img class=\"release-content-bookmark__provider-icon\" src=\"https://avatars.prezly.com/favicon?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.belganewsagency.eu%2Fforeign-minister-and-us-ambassador-move-to-repair-relations-after-diplomatic-dispute&newsroom=6b71e247-a9ba-4732-aaa3-88be14c119db\" aria-hidden=\"true\" />\n            belganewsagency.eu        </a>\n    </div>\n</div>\n",
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    "links": [
        {
            "description": "Foreign minister and US ambassador move to repair relations after diplomatic dispute",
            "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/foreign-minister-and-us-ambassador-move-to-repair-relations-after-diplomatic-dispute"
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        "first_name": "Flanders",
        "last_name": "News Service"
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