During this past year, Americans have become tense and hostile towards each other, partly due to the current political climate. People are pointing out many flaws in how we operate as a country and how we are viewed by the rest of the world. More and more people are starting to question what it truly means to be "an American", and if America is all that great. But during the week of the 4th of July, I am always reminded of why I am proud of my country, and why I would not want to live and prosper anywhere else in the world. For this 4th of July, I want people to take a break from their negative opinions on America, even just for a day, and remember why the United States is a dream for so many people. So here are some quotes that make me proud to be an American:

"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

"America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand." - Harry S. Truman

"My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth."- Abraham Lincoln

"We live in a time of conflict - external and internal - when we sometimes concentrate too much on what divides us. Today, fly the Stars and Stripes with pride and confidence that what unites is far stronger." - Charlie Dent

"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

"Our flag honors those who have fought to protect it, and is a reminder of the sacrifice of our nation's founders and heroes. As the ultimate icon of America's storied history, the Stars and Stripes represents the very best of this nation." - Joe Barton

"We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." - Barack Obama

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." - Elmer Davis

"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

"If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under." - Ronald Reagan

“There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.”- Bill Clinton

"The magic of America is that we're a free and open society with a mixed population. Part of our security is our freedom."- Madeleine Albright

"There's not a liberal America and a conservative America - there's the United States of America."- Barack Obama

"I believe in America because we have great dreams, and because we have the opportunity to make those dreams come true." - Wendell Willkie