Fireworks explode over the Hudson River and the skyline of New York during the Macy's Independence Day celebration as seen from Hoboken, New Jersey, July 4, 2012.[Agencies]

NEW YORK, July 4 - New York City celebrated America's 236th Independence Day with a fireworks show Wednesday night.

During the 25-minute show, which was called the 36th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and believed to be the country's largest of its kind, some 40,000 aerial shells were launched from four barges on the Hudson River beginning at 9:25 pm (0125 GMT Thursday).

Huge crowds gathered along the Hudson River cheered: "USA! USA! " while watched the fireworks.

This year fireworks theme was "Ignite the Night." The score were feature songs chosen by Macy's Facebook fans - including Ray Charles' "America the Beautiful," Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A.," Madonna's "Holiday," and Whitney Houston's "One Moment in Time."

The first ever Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show occurred in 1958 at the Hudson River and remained an annual event at that location.