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July 4, 2026

Happy Fourth of July! If you haven’t heard, it’s a big birthday for America — 250 — and we’ve rounded up some of the most interesting and fun features my colleagues produced to mark the semiquincentennial. (I will continue to use that word whenever possible, now that I know it.) There’s Kim Severson on 250 years of innovation in food, leading historians on “everyday founders,” 10 culture writers’ picks for definitive American movies and a special American history edition of our weekly Flashback quiz.

You may want to hear about this weekend’s other giant party though, and you can also catch up on everything to know about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding extravaganza below. And, if you’re wondering why we’ve covered one celebrity wedding in this much depth, we’ve got answers on that front, too. I’ll see you next weekend(er).

— Farah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA

DRESSING THE AMERICAN DREAM One way to understand the promise of this country is to look at what people have worn while chasing it. →

Universal History Archive/Getty Images THE PURSUIT OF HUNGRINESS Sliced bread. Soul food. Cheetos. Here are 25 inventions, crazes and cravings that defined the national diet. →

Illustration by Tim McDonagh ‘EVERYDAY FOUNDERS’ These are the participants in the Revolution whose stories have rarely been told. →

Paramount Vantage LAND OF THE FILM What is the definitive movie about America? Ten writers weigh in. →

The New York Times FLASHBACK 250 Can you place 25 events in chronological order — before getting three wrong answers? Take the quiz. →

MARRIED! Everything we know about the Swift-Kelce wedding.

Federico Sorrentino for The New York Times THE DRESS The pop star said “I do” to a Dior gown designed by Jonathan Anderson. →

John Locher/Associated Press THE MESSAGE This union has been described as an American version of a royal wedding. It’s worth asking what that means. →

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Palm Springs International Film Society THE OFFICIANT In a star-filled night, Adam Sandler played a special role in the nuptials. Here’s why. →

Illustration by Alvvino; Source photos by Getty THE LOVE STORY Can “chalant” dating help more people find love? Ask Taylor and Travis. →

Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for The New York Times THE SPECTACLE Fans, bracelets, security: Here’s everything we saw from outside the couple’s private celebration. →

TheStewartofNY/GC Images, via Getty Images; Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters; Backgrid AND, THE STARS Could this have been a bigger event than the Met Gala? →

BEFORE YOU GO

Matt Chase STAY SAFE Fourth of July weekend is busy at the ER. Here’s how to avoid a visit. →

NYT Wirecutter FROM WIRECUTTER Here are the very best holiday weekend deals, including discounts you won’t see anywhere else. →

This edition of The Weekender was edited by Farah Miller and Kellina Moore. Reach our team at weekender@nytimes.com.

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