The America250 kickoff event in Des Moines opened at 5 p.m. Thursday with a prayer as thousands gathered at the Iowa State Fairgrounds to celebrate a major milestone and see President Donald Trump. WATCH LIVE: Livestream the America250 event in the video player above Sign up for our NewslettersThursday's event will offer "patriotism,

President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to deliver a “spectacular” yearlong birthday party to mark 250 years of American independence. On Thursday, he will be in the U.S. heartland to kick off the patriotic festivities — and to celebrate the final passage of his sweeping tax cuts and spending package.