Fireworks and big displays of patriotism aren’t exactly unheard of in Washington on the Fourth of July. Celebrations go back to the early days of our nation.

But a very excited President Trump has promised to ratchet up the festivities to a new level this year — turning a national holiday into a political rally for him.

“HOLD THE DATE!” Trump tweeted today, touting a “Salute to America” event to be held at the Lincoln Memorial.

HOLD THE DATE! We will be having one of the biggest gatherings in the history of Washington, D.C., on July 4th. It will be called “A Salute To America” and will be held at the Lincoln Memorial. Major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2019

Putting the “favorite president” remark aside, Trump is still a little late to the party.

Washington has for decades staged a non-partisan event each Independence Day that’s nationally broadcast on PBS.

“A Capitol Fourth” is staged on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, two miles from Trump’s proposed gathering at the Lincoln Memorial.

In 2018 it featured stars including Stevie Wonder, Reba McEntire and Gloria Estefan as well as the National Symphony Orchestra.

A massive fireworks display, one of the nation’s largest, caps off the evening.

Trump’s tweet quickly spawned the #holdthedate hashtag on Twitter.

Other suggestions for holding the date included Halloween, Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

HOLD THE DATE! We be having one of the biggest gatherings in the history of humankind on December 31st. It will be called, “New Year’s Eve”, and will be held all over the world. @andersoncooper and @Andy will provide entertainment and address how very cold they feel! https://t.co/kS12oulSwL — Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) February 24, 2019

HOLD THE DATE! We will be having one of the biggest candy giveaways in history on October 31st. It will be called “Halloween” and will be held in every neighborhood. Major pumpkin displays. — Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) February 24, 2019

HOLD THE DATE! We will be having one of the biggest religious celebrations in the history of Christianity on Dec. 25th. It will be called “Christmas” and everybody will gets gifts! Thanks to your favorite president, me! https://t.co/iHlYAnRzOh — Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) February 24, 2019

HOLD THE DATE! We will be having the biggest family dinner in history on November 28. It will be called “Thanksgiving” and everybody will celebrate and eat turkey. — Vanetta (@Vanetta23365748) February 24, 2019

HOLD THE DATE! We will be having one of the biggest gatherings in the history of Boston on March 17th. It will be called “A Salute To Ireland” and will be held in Southie. Major beer displays, everyone wearing green and an address by your favorite Irish person, me! #CooptAHoliday https://t.co/RsBEJKmgIE — Dr. Danna Young??✌? (@dannagal) February 24, 2019

At 72 years of age and 2 years into his presidency, Donald Trump finds out about July 4th celebrations. Immediately takes credit and makes it all about him. ? https://t.co/ocHIQUedhE — Neizan (@Neizan5) February 24, 2019

It’s literally a federal holiday commonly referred to as the 4th of July nobody needs to “hold the date” you dunce cap. https://t.co/UkVwyJwPMK — The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) February 24, 2019

1. It’s called Save the Date, not HOLD THE DATE. 2. We don’t need to hold the date, it’s ALREADY a holiday, dumbass. Did you think we’d be trick or treating? 3. Your 4th of July crowd will be WAY smaller than the Women’s March. 4. You’re the least favorite potus. EVER. https://t.co/9n8jv5Xo38 — BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) February 24, 2019

HOLD THE DATE! January 20, 2021. (Or possibly earlier.) https://t.co/xTNtqFBm1u — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) February 24, 2019

HOLD THE DATE! On November 3, 2020, we will be holding one of the biggest displays ever of patriotism and standing up for the rights and futures of all Americans when we vote Trump and his Republican allies out. Major displays of a blue wave and progressive values. — Christina Reynolds (@creynoldsnc) February 24, 2019

Is this guy STUPID or what? Hold the date?? Who knew right? We’re going to celebrate our independence on the 4th of July. Wow. ? — The Real Banana (@BarronRupert) February 24, 2019

Hold the date? You mean like we’ve done for 240 years? Major fireworks? You mean like the ones we’ve had on the National Mall for decades? Someone really needs to take this guy’s phone away from him. If Lincoln could climb out of that chair, he’d put his foot up your…#Trump pic.twitter.com/Ihxg1jg2uZ — Joe Walker (@joe_p_walker) February 24, 2019

If this goes well, I think we should follow it with a big party in Times Square the night before New Year’s Day. https://t.co/PiiNrcpIml — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) February 24, 2019

This is actually an excellent idea and I think the whole country should get behind a celebration on July 4. https://t.co/zsBylc4ZhR — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) February 24, 2019

Trump first floated the idea for a Fourth of July celebration earlier this month when he brought it up during a Cabinet meeting.

It’s unclear how Trump’s proposed idea would co-exist with the existing D.C. Fourth of July celebrations.

The president’s pitch for an Independence Day celebration mirrors his request last year for a military parade.

The concept was divisive, with some lawmakers and officials welcoming it as a show of appreciation for the armed forces, and critics likening it to events held by authoritarian regimes.

Trump ultimately canceled the parade in August, blaming local officials for the high cost of the event.

Reports emerged that the parade would have come with a $92 million price tag, though the Pentagon said planning had not reached its final stages and it could not confirm the final cost.