"Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."
- John F. Kennedy
Responsibility
"No matter who you are or what you look like, how you started off, or how and who you love, America is a place where you can write your own destiny."
- Barack Obama
Empowerment
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
- The Declaration of Independence, 1776
Belief
"So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snow capped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California! But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring."
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Hope
"In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope."
- Barack Obama
Hope
"That’s the promise of tomorrow — that in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it."
- Barack Obama
Inspiration
"Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."
- John F. Kennedy
Responsibility
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."
- Barack Obama
Inspiration
"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
- John F. Kennedy
Service
"I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
- Patrick Henry
Courage
"Independence Day: freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed — else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Belief
"Freedom lies in being bold."
- Robert Frost
Courage
"Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.'"
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Motivation
"Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility."
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Courage
"We’re blessed with the opportunity to stand for something — for liberty and freedom and fairness. And these are things worth fighting for, worth devoting our lives to. And we have good reason to be hopeful and optimistic."
- Ronald Reagan
Optimism
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."
- Nelson Mandela
Empowerment
"Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world that a Freeman, contending for liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth."
- George Washington
Courage
"Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just one step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down."
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Courage
"Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong."
- James Bryce
Integrity
"America is another name for opportunity."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Aspirations
"Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.’"
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Hope
"Give me liberty or give me death!"
- Patrick Henry
Motivation
"America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand."
- Harry Truman
Courage
"Independence Day: freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Responsibility
"True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what`s right."
- Bringham Young
Integrity
"Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall."
- John Dickinson
Courage
"America is a tune. It must be sung together."
- Gerald Stanley Lee
Connection to Earth
"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him."
- Abraham Lincoln
Belief in Self
"Where liberty dwells, there is my country."
- Benjamin Franklin
Motivation
"America means opportunity, freedom, power."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Motivation
"We hold our heads high, despite the price we have paid, because freedom is priceless."
- Lech Walesa
Courage
"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."
- Elmer Davis
Courage
"As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality."
- George Washington
Hope
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Belief
"We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it."
- William Faulkner
Motivation
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
- Abraham Lincoln
Leadership
"Liberty is the breath of life to nations."
- George Bernard Shaw
Belief
"Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it."
- George Bernard Shaw
Responsibility
"He who is brave is free."
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Courage
"Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists."
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
Compassion
"Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better."
- Albert Camus
Empowerment
"Only in America / Where we dream in red, white and blue / Only in America / Where we dream as big as we want to."
- Brooks & Dunn
Aspirations
"The happiness of America is intimately connected with the happiness of all mankind; she is destined to become the safe and venerable asylum of virtue, of honesty, of tolerance, and quality and of peaceful liberty."
- Marquis de Lafayette
Compassion
"Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance."
- Woodrow Wilson
Belief
"Liberty has been planted here; and the more it is attacked, the more it grows and flourishes."
- Samuel Sherwood
Resilience
"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost."
- Arthur Ashe
Bravery
"One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation, evermore!"
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Connection to Earth
"May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right."
- Peter Marshall
Motivation
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
- Nathan Hale
Courage
"Freedom (n.): To ask nothing. To expect nothing. To depend on nothing."
- Ayn Rand, “The Fountainhead”
Empowerment
"Who ever walked behind anyone to freedom? If we can't go hand in hand, I don't want to go."
- Hazel Scott
Teamwork
"It is impossible to conquer a nation determined to be free!"
- Thomas Paine
Determination
"Find a moment, just a simple moment, to close your eyes and think of the men and women who protect the freedoms you enjoy. It’s a privilege, not a right."
- Matthew Lillard
Gratitude
"When Freedom from her mountain height / Unfurled her standard to the air / She tore the azure robe of night / And set the star of glory there."
- Joseph Rodman Drake
Inspiration
"Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties."
- John Milton, “Areopagitica”
Belief in Self
"Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will be America’s heart, her benedictions and her prayers be."
- John Quincy Adams
Belief
"Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country."
- Marquis de Lafayette
Belief
"We hold our heads high, despite the price we have paid because freedom is priceless."
- Lech Walesa
Belief in Self
"America is a tune. It must be sung together."
- Gerald Stanley Lee
Connection to Earth
"One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, One Nation, evermore!"
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Connection to Earth
"Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything."
- Alexander Hamilton
Belief
"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him."
- Abraham Lincoln
Responsibility
"The history of free men is never really written by chance but by choice; their choice!"
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Choice
"Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all."
- George Washington
Peace
"Better to die fighting for freedom then be a prisoner all the days of your life."
- Bob Marley
Bravery
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine
Responsibility
"I'd like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free and wanted other people to be also free."
- Rosa Parks
Aspirations
"Freedom is never granted. It is earned by each generation."
- Hillary Clinton
Perseverance
"True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else."
- Clarence Darrow
Belief
"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."
- George Orwell
Awareness
"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
- Voltaire
Courage
"I believe in America because we have great dreams, and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true."
- Wendell Willkie
Aspirations
"Where freedom is, there is my nation."
- Benjamin Franklin
Belief
"America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand."
- Harry S. Truman
Courage
"The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults."
- Alexis de Tocqueville
Reflection
"I venture to suggest that patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime."
- Adlai E. Stevenson
Persistence
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."
- Abraham Lincoln
Belief
"God Bless America, my home, sweet home."
- Irving Berlin
Love
"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."
- Bill Clinton
Motivation
"One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation forevermore!"
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Connection to Earth
"Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness."
- Louis D. Brandeis
Motivation
"The patriot's blood is the seed of freedom's tree."
- Thomas Campbell
Courage
"One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation evermore!"
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Motivation
"Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong."
- James Bryce
Belief
"You can come from humble circumstances and do great things."
- Condoleezza Rice
Motivation
"A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works."
- Bill Vaughan
Positivity
"You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights."
- Marsha P. Johnson
Belief in Self
"In America, nobody says you have to keep the circumstances somebody else gives you."
- Amy Tan
Motivation
"Vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty."
- Alexander Hamilton
Responsibility
"My favorite thing about the United States? Lots of Americans, one America."
- Val Saintsburt
Connection to Earth
"The fact is, with every friendship you make and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world."
- Michelle Obama
Connection to Earth
"History is entirely created by the person who tells the story."
- Lin Manuel Miranda
Philosophy
"Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."
- George Orwell
Courage
"A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government."
- Edward Abbey
Courage
"Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity."
- Herbert Hoover
Empowerment
"America. It is the only place where miracles not only happen, but where they happen all the time."
- Thomas Wolfe
Hope
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it."
- Mark Twain
Belief
"Who ever walked behind anyone to freedom? If we can’t go hand in hand, I don’t want to go."
- Hazel Scott
Belief in Self
"We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls."
- Robert J. McCracken
Belief
"The cement of this union is the heart-blood of every American."
- Thomas Jefferson
Connection to Earth
"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism."
- Erma Bombeck
Love
"Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country."
- Sinclair Lewis
Belief
"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."
- George Washington
Growth
"The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty."
- James Madison
Education
"Nothing but harmony, honesty, industry, and frugality are necessary to make us a great and happy people."
- George Washington
Contentment
"All great change in America begins at the dinner table."
- Ronald Reagan
Change
"Liberty is always dangerous, but it is the safest thing we have."
- Harry Emerson Fosdick
Courage
"Happy 4th of July! This country of immigrants, religious refugees, outcasts and dreamers has come a long way. Let’s keep going."
- Ellen DeGeneres
Aspirations
"We shall go wild with fireworks ... And they will plunge into the sky and shatter the darkness."
- Natsuki Takaya
Happiness
"Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life."
- John F. Kennedy
Contribution
"The United States is the only country with a known birthday."
- James G. Blaine
Happiness
"The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off."
- Gloria Steinem
Courage
"America’s a family. We all yell at each other. It all works out."
- Louis C. K.
Happiness
"Let’s kick the tires and light the fires, big daddy!"
- Captain Jimmy Wilder, “Independence Day”
Happiness
"Laughter is America’s most important export."
- Walt Disney
Joy
"It’s a party in the U.S.A."
- Miley Cyrus
Happiness
"My father described this tall lady who stands in the middle of the New York harbour, holding high a torch to welcome people seeking freedom in America. I instantly fell in love."
- Yakov Smirnoff
Love
"America’s a family. We all yell at each other, and it all works out."
- Louis C.K.
Connection to Earth
"I love my freedom. I love my America."
- Jessi Lane Adams
Love
"When you’re born, you get a ticket to the freak show. When you’re born in America, you get a front row seat."
- George Carlin
Awareness
"Just found out that every Fourth of July, the British celebrate, ‘We Dodged a Bullet Day.’"
- Conan O’Brien
Happiness
"It’s Fourth of July weekend, or, as I call it, Exploding Christmas."
- Stephen Colbert
Joy
"Today is the 4th of July, when we honor the day that Uncle Sam chopped down Benedict Arnold at the Alamo. Happy hot dogs!"
- Stephen Colbert
Happiness
"Americans will put up with anything, provided it doesn’t block traffic."
- Dan Rather
Happiness
"Oh my god, you look like the Fourth of July! Makes me want a hot dog real bad."
- Paulette Parcelle, “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde”
Happiness
"It’s Fourth of July weekend, or as I call it, exploding Christmas."
- Stephen Colbert
Happiness
"We will stand by the right, we will stand by the true, we will live, we will die for the red, white, and blue."
Belief