Secretary Clinton's Independence Day Message

Independence Day

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 25, 2010

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Translations Available: Arabic - Chinese - French - Persian - Portuguese - Russia - Spanish

Greetings from Washington and welcome to America's birthday party! Every year, Americans gather with friends and family on the Fourth of July to celebrate the values that inspired the founders of our nation more than two centuries ago, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Now these freedoms are not unique to Americans. They are embodied in constitutions of many nations, and observed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that we all recognize. So today is a celebration of our common humanity. But it’s a special day for America and I’m delighted that we can mark it together, because Americans everywhere, especially our diplomatic corps, our foreign service and civil service officers, who many of you work with, are trying to help our nation to live up to our founding ideals and to make our country a force for peace and progress around the world. And under President Obama's leadership, the United States is revitalizing old alliances and forming new partnerships based on mutual respect and mutual interest. We know no nation can meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of the 21st century alone -- all of us have to take responsibility and work together.

So thank you for joining us on this Fourth of July celebration and let’s use this celebration as a chance to form new connections, exchange ideas, and find fresh solutions to our shared challenges. And reaffirm our commitment to advancing universal human rights. We’re very proud of our founders. Those brave patriots championed those rights 234 years ago, and they’ve been inspiring people not only in my country but around the world ever since. I know they inspire me. And I hope that together we can leave a legacy of freedom and opportunity to generations to come.

Thank you and please have a wonderful Fourth of July.