Happy 250th birthday, America! (Picture: Getty) Thousands of events are being held across the US to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence from Britain, as a swathe of the country swelters in extreme heat. The RAF’s world-famous Red Arrows will be helping mark the historic birthday by taking part in an international flypast over New York City, which was also set to host an international naval review and a flotilla of tall ships. The Band of the Royal Marines are in the Big Apple as well to perform, having entertained crowds in Washington DC earlier in the week. The July 4 festivities kicked off in New York with the dropping of the Times Square ball for the first time in its history on a day other than New Year’s Eve. It was lowered a total of eight times as it marked mid