Cue the carnivals, parades and hot dog eating contests—it’s time to celebrate the 4th of July! Independence Day is a favorite holiday among Americans for many reasons, and these 4th of July quotes remind us why. First, it comes at the culmination of summer when the sun is at its peak, making all those stars shine even brighter. The July day also buzzes with outdoor activities filled with loved ones and delicious food before ending in a crescendo of booming fireworks displays.
It’s truly a sight to see, and we have our Founding Fathers to thank for all this red, white and blue-splashed merriment.
We celebrate each year to honor the passing of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress—a historic event which occurred on July 4, 1776. This act declared the nation’s 13 established colonies independent from Great Britain’s rule. In other words, this day marks the official birth of the United States.
This year, as we approach our country’s 249th birthday, we’re sharing a robust collection of Independence Day quotes. They help us to, first and foremost, remember the deeper reason for the season and what our nation has stood for since the beginning. But these patriotic words—perfect for social media captions or sending 4th of July wishes—will also help you to kick off the holiday weekend with a bang.
Independence Day Quotes to Remind Us of the Meaning of the Holiday
Did you know that every 4th of July in Philadelphia, the Liberty Bell is rung 13 times in honor of the 13 original colonies? Amidst all the craziness each year, traditions just like this remind us that the true meaning of Independence Day runs deeper than parties and barbecues.
Behind the Holiday
Key players, including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and William Livingston, risked their lives when they drafted the Declaration of Independence—as did the 56 men who signed it, since, at the time, this was considered an act of treason. They took this brave step in hopes of forming a better nation: one built on freedom and equality rather than tyranny and control.
Sayings to Honor the Meaning of July 4th
The following 4th of July meaning quotes remind us of these original ideals and our country’s innate symbolism as a land of limitless opportunity for all. A few of these words are directly from the Declaration of Independence. Still others come from some of the most influential people in our nation’s history, including past presidents.
- “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
- “The Declaration of Independence is the ring-bolt to the chain of your nation’s destiny.” —Frederick Douglass
- “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” —John Adams
- “Remember always that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt
- “In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.” —Barack Obama
- “History began on July 4, 1776. Everything before that was a mistake.” —Ron Swanson, Parks and Rec
- “The essence of America—that which really unites us—is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion—it is an idea—and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things.” —Condoleezza Rice
- “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” —John F. Kennedy
- “True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth.” —Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt’s Book of Common Sense Etiquette
- “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, but your government only when it deserves it.” —Mark Twain
Related: 20 Thoughtful Quotes to Remember 911
Powerful Inspirational Quotes About the 4th of July
Liberty and freedom are recurring themes when we discuss the creation of the United States. The concepts of limited government power and personal autonomy are pillars of our foundation and have largely guided our political landscape.
These meaningful 4th of July quotes touch on the great effort it took to earn these initial rights and the power of uniting together towards one common goal. As we take a trip back through history, let’s also remember the military men and women who have fought and still continue to fight for our freedom every day, even 249 years later.
- “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.” —George Washington
- “Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.” —Thomas Paine
- “America is another word for Opportunity.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson, “American Civilization”
- “Give me liberty or give me death!” —Patrick Henry
- “Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all by uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.” —John Dickinson, “The Liberty Song”
- “America is known as a country that welcomes people to its shores. All kinds of people.” —Ruth Bader Ginsberg
- “The principle of free government adheres to the American soil. It is bedded in it, immovable as its mountains.” —Daniel Webster
- “Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.” —Kahlil Gibran, The Vision
- “Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit of human dignity.” —Herbert Hoover
- “America is a tune. It must be sung together.” —Gerald Stanley Lee, Crowds
- “We hold our heads high, despite the price we have paid, because freedom is priceless.” —Lech Walesa
Related: 45 Inspiring Quotes About Freedom
4th of July Sayings to Wish Friends & Family a Happy Independence Day
Independence Day is all about national pride, unity and the spirit of coming together. This is why so many of us find ourselves at family picnics, reunions or get-togethers with friends come July 4th. For those loved ones you can’t see in person, however, you can still send a 4th of July messages to let them know you’re thinking of them.
Send the following greetings in a card (if you’re timely enough) or shoot them over in a quick text before you head out on the lake or to the fair for the day. Don’t forget, this holiday is also the perfect time to thank the people in your life for their military service. These original sayings written by SUCCESS® contributors, can help you honor and celebrate this special day.
- “Time to break out the red, white, and blue and fire up the grill, it’s Independence Day!”
- “Remember the reason for the fireworks and parades on this July day.”
- “Happy Fourth of July! Let’s celebrate the strength, bravery, and freedom our country is built on.”
- “Wishing you a wonderful Independence Day filled with family, friends, and freedom.”
- “Hoping your Fourth of July shines just like you do!”
- “Sending you an extra dose of love and patriotism today.”
- “Thank you for continuing to uphold our country’s founding beliefs and courageously protecting our men and women. Happy Fourth!”
- “It wouldn’t be the land of the free without brave people like you. Thank you for your service.”
Short 4th of July Quotes to Use as Social Media Captions
At the start of July, social media is bright with a sea of fireworks pictures, bright food displays and sunburnt—yet smiling—faces. Make your post stand out this year with one of these original patriotic captions from SUCCESS®. We’re not saying you have to completely forgo the obligatory American flag emoji or classic string of red, white and blue hearts. Just build on them with a unique and cute 4th of July quote.
- “Let freedom ring and the good times roll.”
- “Food, fireworks, and fun…what’s not to like?”
- “The land of dazzling stars and definitive stripes.”
- “The tea is in the harbor, and burgers are on the grill. The perfect recipe for an American celebration!”
- “More American than baseball, apple pie, and independence.”
- “Everything is Yankee Doodle Dandy.”
- “Wishing America a very happy birthday and many more!”
- “Came for the food, stayed for the fireworks.”
- “Doing Uncle Sam proud this July 4th.”
- “Feeling extra free and extra full today!”
4th of July Quotes and Sayings to Celebrate All the Day Brings
A few centuries ago, Independence Day celebrations were originally modeled after the king’s birthday proceedings. This included with solemn processions, bonfires and speech giving. Yet over time, they have evolved to better fit our American lifestyles. Now, we gather in droves to watch baseball games, the Macy’s fireworks show and, of course, the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest—only the most American of showdowns. We barbecue and fry any kind of food we can get our hands on, listen to country music (especially Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.”), and raise a glass to our patriotism—all while donning bright shades of red, white and blue.
Share the Happiness With 4th of July Sayings
These “happy 4th of July” quotes are here to help you effortlessly slip into this holiday state of mind. Pulled from songs, movies and TV shows, they encapsulate all the fun elements of Independence Day, from popsicles to music to freedom.
- “It’s Fourth of July weekend, or, as I call it, Exploding Christmas.” —Stephen Colbert
- “You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine. Just own the night like the 4th of July.” —Katy Perry, “Firework”
- “What was important wasn’t the fireworks, it was that we were together this evening, together in this place, looking up into the sky at the same time.” —Banana Yoshimoto, Asleep
- “We love the Fourth of July. It’s the perfect holiday. You get to cook outside, blow stuff up, wear shorts.” —Jay Pritchett, Modern Family
- “You look like the Fourth of July! Makes me want a hot dog real bad!” —Paulette Parcelle, Legally Blonde
- “Raise a glass to freedom, something they can never take away.” —Lin Manuel Miranda, “The Story of Tonight”
- “Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing. Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning.” —Martina McBride, “Independence Day”
- “It’s a party in the U.S.A.” —Miley Cyrus, “Party in the U.S.A.”
- “He makes me melt like a popsicle on the Fourth of July.” —Darla, The Little Rascals
- “Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees.” —Samuel Francis Smith, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”
- “Brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue.” —Toby Keith, “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue”
Remember the Reason for the Holiday with Independence Day Quotes
The last line of the Declaration of Independence reads, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” And these are the words we will leave you with.
The declaration’s writers agreed to sacrifice everything they possessed—including their lives—in order to uphold this document and for the pursuit of a free nation. That is truly what the Fourth of July is all about, and it’s the reason why we are able to live in a land full of liberty, opportunity and personal freedom—like the freedom to inhale 70 hot dogs on national TV. Remember this as you enjoy your family, friends and food this holiday. Happy 4th of July!
Photo by Jacob Lund/Shutterstock
