Hello, everyone. I am delighted to welcome you on behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States as we celebrate our nation's 233rd birthday.

For Americans, the 4th of July is a day to reconnect with loved ones, to remember our history, and to renew our commitment to democracy, tolerance, and justice. As President Obama said in Cairo last month, these are not just American values, these are core principles we share with people everywhere. So it is fitting that we open our doors and share this day with our friends and neighbors around the world.

Our fates and our fortunes are intertwined like never before. No one nation can meet today's global challenges alone. We all share responsibility for working together to ensure a more peaceful and prosperous future.

So I hope that today's celebration will become tomorrow's partnership. There's nothing we can't accomplish, no challenge we can't meet, if we work together toward common goals and seek common ground.

Thank you so much for joining us and have a wonderful 4th of July. (Watch video: WMV format, 9.5MB )