The White House Fourth Of July

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Serving our Military Families This Fourth of July

A Fourth of July Celebration at the White House

July 4, 2016
The President addresses the crowd on Independence Day following performances by Kendrick Lamar and Janelle Monáe.

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Weekly Address: Serving our Military Families This Fourth of July

July 2, 2016
In this week’s address, President Obama wished everyone a happy Fourth of July, and recognized our service members, veterans and their families for their service to our country. The President commended First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden on the most recent milestone of their Joining Forces initiative.

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Photos from this year's celebration


The Fourth of July fireworks are barely visible through the low-lining cloud cover as seen from the Truman Balcony of the White House, July 4, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Scenes from last year

Scenes from last year

The President Honors Military Families on the Fourth of July

The President and the First Lady celebrated the Fourth of July by hosting military heroes and their families for an Independence Day celebration with a barbeque, concert and a view of fireworks on the South Lawn.

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Fireworks on the National Mall from the White House

The National Mall fireworks as seen from the South Lawn of the White House. July 4, 2015.

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Some Favorite Fourth of July Moments

1. "One of the best perks about being President is anyone will hand you their baby."

Holding a baby on July 4th

July 4, 2012
President Barack Obama holds a baby while greeting guests during an Independence Day celebration on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

2. Fun and games on the South Lawn!

The South Lawn of the White House as military families enjoyed the holiday on July 4, 2009

July 4, 2009
The South Lawn of the White House as military families enjoyed the holiday. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

3. The VP visiting the troops in Iraq.

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden congratulate soldiers on becoming U.S. citizens

July 4, 2010
Vice President Joe Biden, center, congratulates a soldier on becoming a U.S. citizen during a naturalization ceremony in Al Faw Palace on Camp Victory, Iraq. Biden's wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, left, commander of U.S. Forces Iraq, also attended the event during which more than 150 U.S. servicemembers became U.S. citizens. (by Elaine Wilson)

 

4. POTUS and FLOTUS cutting a rug.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pretend to march to music in the Blue Room

July 4, 2010
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pretend to march to music in the Blue Room of the White House, before delivering remarks to military families during a Fourth of July celebration. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

5. Special celebrity performances!

Brad Paisley performs on the South Lawn of the White House (July 4, 2012)

July 4, 2012
Brad Paisley performs on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy

 

6. Jimmy Fallon being Jimmy Fallon.

July 8, 2009
Jimmy Fallon can't believe he's at the White House on the Fourth of July. Watch part of his stand-up performance from that evening.

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7. Marching bands.

President Barack Obama delivers remarks to military service personnel and their families during the Fourth of July celebration

July 4, 2010
President Barack Obama delivers remarks to military service personnel and their families during the Fourth of July celebration at the White House. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

 

8. Saluting the President.

July 4, 2011-Young Salute

July 4, 2011
"I'm always trying to capture how people react to the President especially when he works a rope line. On the Fourth of July, the President was greeting members of the military and their families on the South Lawn when a young girl struck a salute as the President approached." (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

9. And saluting new American citizens.

POTUS July 4, 2012

July 4, 2012
President Barack Obama listens as Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano administers the oath during a military naturalization ceremony for active duty service members in the East Room of the White House.

 

10. Fireworks. (Who doesn't love fireworks?)

First Lady Michelle Obama, left, Malia Obama and President Barack Obama watch the Fourth of July fireworks from the roof of the White House.

July 4, 2014
First Lady Michelle Obama, left, Malia Obama and President Barack Obama watch the Fourth of July fireworks from the roof of the White House, July 4, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama watch fireworks

July 4, 2010
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama watch the fireworks over the National Mall from the roof of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 

July 4, 2013
The National Mall fireworks as seen from the South Lawn of the White House.

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