The United States turned its celebration of Independence Day 2021 into a date for the reunion after months of restrictions due to the pandemic of coronavirus, which has claimed more than 600,000 lives in the country.

US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, their daughter Ashley Biden and their granddaughters Finnegan and Naomi pose for a photo during the celebration.

US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, their daughter Ashley Biden and their granddaughters Finnegan and Naomi pose for a photo during the celebration.

Americans, already for weeks without the obligation to wear a mask in case they have been fully vaccinated, except in some closed spaces, threw themselves into parks and public places, while the numbers of travelers almost returned to the levels of 2019.

Washington

Washington

“The United States is united again. 245 years ago we declared our independence from a distant king. Today we are closer than ever to declaring our independence from a deadly virus,” said the US President Joe Biden, in his speech on the occasion of this national holiday.

Macy's 4th of July fireworks in New York City

Macy’s 4th of July fireworks in New York City

The Democratic Administration has considered this date an auspicious occasion to the family reunion and the “Independence Day and the independence from the covid-19”.

People watch fireworks over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as part of the 4th of July celebrations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

People watch fireworks over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as part of the 4th of July celebrations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

“We meet again. Businesses are opening and hiring again”, highlighted the president who organized his first massive activity at the White House on July 4.

 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The south garden of the presidential residence welcomed some 1,000 people, mostly essential workers, the military and their families, to enjoy a barbecue, one of the most ingrained customs among Americans to celebrate their Independence.

The activity, which included a concert, took place while thousands of people around the White House waited for the fireworks show that traditionally closes on this day.

The activity, which included a concert, took place while thousands of people around the White House waited for the fireworks show that traditionally closes on this day.

The celebrations were the first great celebration as the US emerges from the pandemic through vaccination.

The celebrations were the first great celebration as the US emerges from the pandemic through vaccination.

“We are emerging from the darkness of a year of pandemic and isolation,” added Biden, who recalled that 2020 was “a year of pain, fear and heartbreaking loss.

A fully dressed family with the American flag enjoys fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A fully dressed family with the American flag enjoys fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

But amid the festive mood, Biden warned that the battle against COVID-19 is not over. “We have a lot of work to do,” said the US leader, who insisted that the virus “has not been defeated.”

New York

New York

He recalled that “powerful” variants such as delta, initially detected in India, have emerged, which is why he invited Americans to be immunized, stating that “the best defense against these variants is to get vaccinated.”

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Just this Sunday, the main epidemiologist of the Government, Anthony Fauci, called on the population to leave the “differences” and get vaccinated to avoid “preventable” deaths.

Macy's 4th of July fireworks show in New York is the most anticipated of the day

Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show in New York is the most anticipated of the day

Speaking to NBC News, Fauci regretted that about 99.2% of the people who died in recent weeks from the virus were not vaccinated.

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Biden had proposed as a goal that by this date 70% of adults had at least one dose of the vaccine, but admitted weeks ago that it would not be achieved, largely due to low levels of inoculation among the youngest.

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Only 20 of the country’s 50 states and the District of Columbia – where the city of Washington is – achieved the president’s goal, according to figures from The New York Times.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 67.1% of the population over 18 years of age (about 173.1 million) have received at least one injection, while 58.2 % are already fully immunized.

Biden assured that this is an Independence day "also from the virus".

Biden assured that this is an Independence day “also from the virus”.

In the case of the general population, 54.9% (182.4 million) have received a dose and 47.4% have already completed their vaccination.

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“If you have not been vaccinated, do it now,” the president asked his compatriots, and noted: “we do not want to go back to where we were a year ago.”

“Today, although the virus has not been defeated, we know it: it no longer controls our lives, it no longer paralyzes our nation and it is in our power to ensure that it never does again,” Biden stressed.

This day, he called on his compatriots to remember who they are. “We are the United States and there is nothing we cannot do if we do it together,” he said, closing his speech with a “happy 4th of July.”

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