For the first time since the 9/11 terror attacks, Independence Day fireworks lit up the sky over the Hudson River as New Yorkers celebrated the nation's 233rd birthday Saturday night.

The fireworks display, previously held over the East River, was moved to the Hudson in honor of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage up the river that now bears his name.

More then 40,000 fireworks made up the display, said by organizers to be the nation's largest. They were set off from six barges moored on the river between 24th and 50th streets.

The display, nearly an hour long, was the city's biggest July Fourth fireworks show to date.

An estimated two million spectators watched the nationally-televised event.