What happened: The Washington Nationals joined the Fourth of July festivities on Saturday, celebrating Independence Day from the nation's capital. The holiday falls in the heart of the 2026 MLB regular season, and Washington embraced the occasion.

Why it matters: This Fourth of July carries extra weight: 2026 marks the semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of American independence. For a franchise that plays its home games in Washington, D.C., the holiday is an annual signature date on the schedule, and baseball remains one of the country's oldest Independence Day traditions.

What to watch: The Nationals continue their 2026 regular-season slate through the holiday weekend, with the July stretch shaping where Washington stands as the season's second half approaches.