Celebrating 239 Years of U.S. Independence

The United States Embassy in Manila recently celebrated the 239th Independence Day of the United States of America – popularly known as the Fourth of July – on July 2 at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg welcomed guests to the commemoration of the most significant American holiday, which – for the first time – was held outside of the U.S. Embassy along Roxas Boulevard, on account of major renovations ongoing within the facility.

In his welcome address, Goldberg – who was joined on stage by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario; U.S. Embassy Political Counselor, Matthew Cenzer; and Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Monsignor Giuseppe Pinto – shared that the actual voting for the Declaration of Independence historically took place on July 2, 1776 and not on July 4; which was the date ultimately inked on the document, after revisions had been made. “Don’t let anybody tell you that we’re actually just doing it for the long weekend for the Embassy staff,” he added in jest as he explained why the festivities were two days earlier.

U.S. Independence Day is a celebration of the simple premise that all men and women are created equal and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

In honoring this spirit of equality, this year’s commemoration was themed in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the milestone legislation, the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students from the Philippine National School for the Blind led the national anthems of both the Philippines and the U.S.A.; while Rondalla on Wheels, a musical project in tandem with the National Orthopedic Hospital and the Philippine Society for Crippled Children, were among the talented groups which provided the evening’s entertainment.

The Ambassador also noted that July 4 is Philippine-American Friendship Day, as well; which he referred to as “a great alliance between two countries and two peoples.” Goldberg expounded that not only is the US-Philippine alliance great, “It is undergoing a great renewal.”

“In fact, we’re doing more together than at any other time in the generation – in assistance, in security, in Congress – and we’re doing so as the Philippine government works to modernize, fight corruption, and provide more equitable growth,” he disclosed. “For more than 79 years, America and the Philippines have stood together shoulder to shoulder, and we continue to face the future together shoulder to shoulder,” he added.

The event was well attended by Americans and Filipinos alike, from various sectors of society, all eager to take part in the meaningful affair.