On the 225th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia's celebration was marked with parades, picnics and fireworks.
But the meaning of the word "liberty" was not forgotten either, as President Bush and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan gathered in the city where liberty first truly rang.
Annan was awarded the 13th annual Philadelphia Liberty Medal, an award that "places the importance of human liberty on the world stage," according to Daniel Whelan, chairman of sponsor Greater Philadelphia First.
Annan, who was recently elected to a second term as head of the U.N., was presented with this honor for his work in ending poverty, fighting HIV/AIDS, and creating peace throughout the world.
"He has affirmed the world with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," Whelan said.
In accepting the award in front of Independence Hall, Annan said that he will donate its accompanying $100,000 prize to a U.N. fund dedicated to combatting HIV/AIDS. Coming off of last week's U.N. special council session on this topic, Annan said that if this epidemic is not curbed, the world will have a "catastrophic" crisis on its hands.
More than 100 million people globally will be infected with the disease within five years if nothing is done, he said. Annan also pledged to continue the work of the U.N. to provide freedom to those around the globe.
"Though this is an uniquely American day, the value you celebrate is uniquely universal," Annan, the first U.N. secretary-general from a sub-Saharan African nation, said. "Liberty is not just cause for a celebration today, but also a worthy cause for our time."
Annan called upon all people, not only leaders and those in government, to fight for liberty wherever it may be threatened.
In the afternoon, Bush fulfilled his promise made during his first budget address to visit Philadelphia to tour its faith-based programs. He made his way to the picnic held on the 700 block of North Broad Street, where he greeted members of the Greater Exodus Baptist Church and a church-based group called Amachi that provides mentors for up to 800 Philadelphia children whose parents have been imprisoned.
Bush moved throughout the crowd, paying special attention to the children. To their delight, he joined them in a football game, helped them paint a mural of the American flag and even donned a Phillies cap and hugged the Philly Phanatic.
His romp with the Phanatic even impressed one big kid, former Phillies star Tug McGraw.
"If I admire him for anything, it's for his love of baseball," McGraw said. "He mentioned to me that while he's in office, he'll be known as the greatest president ever for baseball."
Prior to his return to the White House, Bush joined Governor Tom Ridge and Mayor John Street before an invitation-only crowd of 2,000 outside of Independence Hall, missing Annan's appearance there by only a few hours.
Bush called upon Congress to legislate new laws that promote and encourage faith-based community groups.
"Religion is more than the right to believe in God's love -- it is the right to be an instrument of God's love," Bush said. "Such work is beyond the work of government, and beyond the role of government."
