{
    "title": "US marks 250th anniversary with high-profile celebrations in Brussels",
    "modified_at": "2026-06-29 10:20:51",
    "published_at": "2026-06-28 18:46:00",
    "url": "https://belganewsagency-eu.prezly.com/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>US ambassador Bill White opened Sunday&#039;s celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States in Brussels&#039; Cinquantenaire Park. Several speeches were scheduled, including by prime minister Bart De Wever, NATO secretary general Mark Rutte and European Parliament president Roberta Metsola. The event is due to end with a drone and fireworks display.</strong></p><p>White expected close to 9,000 guests to attend the event. &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 park 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",
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