On July 4, 2024, Americans from across the country flocked to Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 248th anniversary of the nation’s independence. The festivities began with the National Independence Day Parade, attracting thousands of attendees, including local residents from Washington, Virginia, and Maryland, as well as visitors from distant states.
Among the many who made the journey was Tanish Moodra from Houston, Texas. Despite the nearly 100-degree temperatures, she was eager to experience the parade firsthand. “I think of opportunities,” Tanish said when asked what America means to her. “I like the opportunities that are provided here and just the chance to grow into something that you want to be.”
Robert and Iris, who traveled from Seattle, expressed their gratitude for being in “the freest country in the world.” For Robert, Independence Day is a symbol of unity. “Even though there are all kinds of things going on in the world, we come together on one day to celebrate our independence and also get together and see all the military representation here,” he remarked.
Air Force Col. Cindy Dawson was one of the many service members participating in the parade. She spoke proudly about what she cherishes most about America: “All the freedoms it stands for. Everything we’ve been able to do since [we were] very young children until today is because of our great nation. As an Air Force officer myself, I couldn’t be more proud to stand in representation of that and hopefully spread that across the world as well.”
Opportunity, freedom, and diversity were recurrent themes among parade-goers. Andrew Wade, a naturalized citizen from the United Kingdom, highlighted these values. “The freedoms, the liberty and justice for all, you know, opportunity to not be oppressed, to have freedom of speech,” he said when asked what he cherished most about America.
The parade also featured a ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives, continuing a tradition that dates back over 50 years. Michael Krausz, a chemical engineer from St. Louis, described the experience of the reading as “really, really fun.”
Following the parade, the celebrations continued with several fireworks shows in and around the capital, with the most prominent display at the National Mall. Lawmakers also took the opportunity to commemorate the day. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) expressed his hopes for the nation, writing, “May God continue to bless the greatest nation in the history of the world—and give us the wisdom and stamina to preserve it.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) echoed the sentiment, urging Americans to “recommit to the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for every single American.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) celebrated the vision and sacrifice of those who overthrew tyranny in favor of democracy and the rule of law, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) honored “the bold first steps of the great American experiment.”
President Joe Biden delivered remarks to military service members during a White House barbecue, emphasizing that the United States is the only nation founded on an idea, not ethnicity or geography. He reiterated the principle that “all men and women are created equal” and acknowledged that while the nation has not always lived up to this ideal, it has never walked away from it.
As the day drew to a close, the celebrations in Washington served as a powerful reminder of the values that unite Americans and the enduring spirit of independence that defines the nation.
