150 New Citizens Celebrate America's 250Th at Mount Vernon
WHO:
AP News - Anne Neal Petri, the regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, greeted the crowd with “Happy Birthday, United States of America!”
AP News - A re-enactor portraying George Washington welcomed the new citizens, stating, “Today the name of ‘American’ belongs to you every bit as much as it does to me.”
ABC News - A group of 150 people from 50 countries became U.S. citizens.
AP News - U.S. Marine Sgt. Diakaria Sangare from Guinea was among the new citizens.
AP News - Anne Neal Petri, the regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, addressed the crowd.
AP News - Historian Douglas Bradburn spoke at the event.
WHAT:
AP News - The crowd included individuals from countries affected by violence and persecution.
AP News - The new citizens came from 50 countries, including Albania, Bangladesh, China, El Salvador, Iraq, and Mongolia.
AP News - U.S. Marine Sgt. Diakaria Sangare wore his Dress Blue uniform with three medals pinned to his left breast during the ceremony.
AP News - The crowd recited an Oath of Allegiance that was similar to the oath signed by George Washington in 1778.
AP News - Historian Douglas Bradburn stated, “All the stories that are part of you, now become American stories,” addressing the new citizens.
ABC News - 150 individuals were sworn in as U.S. citizens.
AP News - The event took place on the July Fourth holiday, coinciding with America's 250th birthday.
AP News - The new citizens recited an Oath of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance.
WHERE:
ABC News - The citizenship ceremony was held at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate.
AP News - The event took place on the lawn at Mount Vernon.
WHEN:
AP News - The citizenship ceremony occurred on July 4, 2026, marking America's 250th birthday.
WHY:
AP News - The event celebrated the new citizens' journeys and their integration into American society.
HOW:
AP News - The new citizens participated in a ceremony that included the national anthem and the recitation of the Oath of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance.
AP News - The new citizens underwent a long citizenship process that included tests, interviews, green cards, and biometrics.
AP News - The new citizens underwent a long citizenship process, including tests, interviews, green cards, and biometrics.
(UPDATED July 5, 2026 17:19 UTC)
At a recent citizenship ceremony, Anne Neal Petri, the regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, welcomed attendees with a heartfelt “Happy Birthday, United States of America!” A re-enactor portraying George Washington also addressed the crowd, emphasizing that the name of “American” now belongs to the new citizens just as much as it does to him. The event, which included the national anthem and the recitation of the Oath of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance, drew individuals from countries affected by violence and persecution.
--
(UPDATED July 5, 2026 15:18 UTC)
In a heartfelt ceremony, new citizens from 50 countries, including Albania, Bangladesh, China, El Salvador, Iraq, and Mongolia, took their Oath of Allegiance, reminiscent of the one signed by George Washington in 1778. U.S. Marine Sgt. Diakaria Sangare, adorned in his Dress Blue uniform with three medals, stood proudly as he welcomed them into the fold. Historian Douglas Bradburn emphasized the significance of this moment, stating, “All the stories that are part of you, now become American stories,” highlighting the journey these individuals undertook through a rigorous citizenship process involving tests, interviews, green cards, and biometrics.
--
(UPDATED July 5, 2026 06:18 UTC)
A citizenship ceremony at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate celebrated the swearing-in of 150 new U.S. citizens from 50 countries, including U.S. Marine Sgt. Diakaria Sangare from Guinea. The event, which coincided with America's 250th birthday, featured speeches from Anne Neal Petri, the regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, and historian Douglas Bradburn, as the new citizens recited the Oath of Allegiance and the Pledge of Allegiance. These individuals completed a lengthy citizenship process that included tests, interviews, green cards, and biometrics, marking a significant milestone in their journeys to integrate into American society.