Celebrating the Fourth: A Tribute to Freedom

Words and images to honor and remember the spirit of liberty and unity

Stephanie Bennett Vogt

Jul 04, 2025

“America is a tune. It must be sung together.”

—Gerald Stanley Lee

Today is a big day in the United States.

In honor of those who made this birthday possible, I have put together a mix of quotations I found online with a few photos from my archives.

May these images and words help us remember why we celebrate the Fourth of July, why it matters, and why we must keep fighting for liberty, freedom, and justice for all.

Ahhh ✌🏼🇺🇸

Photo inspirations

Happy Birthday America 🎉

Photos by Stephanie Bennett Vogt

“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

“Liberty is the breath of life to nations.”

—George Bernard Shaw

“Happy 4th of July! This country of immigrants, religious refugees, outcasts and dreamers has come a long way. Let’s keep going.”

—Ellen DeGeneres

“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.”

—Albert Camus

“It’s Fourth of July weekend, or as I call it, exploding Christmas.”

— Stephen Colbert

“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