Secretary of State Rubio welcomed Ambassador Bah to the Department of State and thanked him for honouring his invitation to join him for the evening reception and viewing of the National Fireworks in celebration of the U.S. independence day of July 4th, 2025.
Ambassador Bah expressed his delight to join Secretary of State Rubio to celebrate the auspicious U.S. National Day. He said the declaration of American independence 249 years ago was inspirational to the world and humanity at large. The Ambassador observed that the American history inspired the African continent to later demand for independence, rule of law and prosperity.
Ambassador Bah expressed The Gambiaβs commitment to maintaining an enduring excellent bilateral relationship with the United States on shared values of freedom, democracy and human rights.
Speaking at the occasion, the U.S. Secretary of State said, βon this day 249 years ago, representatives of the United States of America appealed to the Supreme Judge of the world and declared American independence. They mutually pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honour to each other. These great and remarkable men were determined to resist what they considered absolute despotism and to assert their right to rule themselves.β
Secretary Rubio described the people of the United States as free, industrious, and innovative. Also, he said the people of the U.S. are connected through shared history, territory, common language, unifying traditions, and profound religious faith.
βThey have guided us for 12 generations, making possible our miraculous rise. We must always strive, especially on these days of national commemoration, to reawaken in ourselves that assertive, noble, and sensible spirit of our founders. Let it always live in us,β he postulated.
The U.S. Secretary of State said the American revolution brought about unprecedented prosperity, scientific progress, and military power. And also provided a model of rights-based political liberty that inspired the entire world. He said for 12 generations, the U.S. has built upon that foundation. He posited that nations do not survive by teaching their younger generations to despise their country or themselves.
βThat is how nations descend into self-destruction. And what comes after is not a state of moral purity. What comes after is poverty, strife, and eventually foreign conquest. Throughout history, these have always been the rule, with freedom the exception,β he said.
