Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the keynote address at the Monticello Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, welcoming 75 new American citizens from 35 different nations.
During her remarks, Governor Spanberger reflected on the enduring promise of American independence and the responsibility each generation holds to build a more perfect union, emphasizing the nation's founding ideals. She highlighted that this year marks America's semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary, with the slogan "America: Made in Virginia."
The Governor underscored the principles laid out by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, stating, "our founders — Virginians like Washington, Madison, and Jefferson believed in what could be." She added that the nation was founded on ideals of liberty, justice, and self-governance, rather than language, religion, or fealty to royalty.
Spanberger shared an anecdote about seeing America through the eyes of others, quoting herself, "Seeing America through the eyes of others is a gift." She challenged all present to learn from the new citizens' example, asking, "How can we work to make the ideals on parchment — the ideals that founded our country — real? How can we also 'choose America?'"
She concluded by noting that new Americans continually renew and enliven the nation, stating, "we are not just a nation of immigrants; we are a nation renewed, enlivened, and blessed by them." Governor Spanberger urged everyone to "choose America" by believing in its founding ideals and actively working to address challenges.