Jim Wallis

Christian leader for social change; Author, 'On God’s Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn’t Learned About Serving the Common Good'

What do I love about America? I love the land. I love our many diverse cultures. I especially love our best national values: freedom, opportunity, community, justice, human rights, and equality under the law for all of our citizens of every race, creed, culture, and gender

Janus Adams

Emmy Award-winning journalist, historian and producer

Founding Fathers, you got it together by making a few compromises. How's it working for you now? The bargaining chips you played then -- slaves, women, Native Americans -- are still being played today.

Ekow N. Yankah

Professor of Law, Cardozo School of Law

On this Fourth of July, it is the basic realization that rolling up your sleeves and being a part of your political community, rather than grasping at a fuzzy picture of a cowboy alone on a plain, is the true display of virtue.

Tiffiniy Cheng

Co-founder, Fight for the Future

What the NSA is doing is criminal. It's immoral. And it goes against everything this country is supposed to be about.

Foodbeast

July 4 is about eating well, sitting back and enjoying each other's company. Except when it's not...

Jennifer Bradley and Bruce Katz

In the absence of constructive action in Washington, cities and metropolitan areas have emerged as the can-do directors of the nation, taking powerful steps to grow jobs and remake their economies for the long haul.

Ralph Nader

Consumer advocate, lawyer and author

In an age of increased jingoism about freedom and American ideals, the comparative yardsticks of patriotism should be applied frequently and meticulously to the large U.S. corporations that rove the world seeking advantages from other countries, to the detriment of the United States.

Cesar Millan

Founder of the Cesar Millan Foundation

When the fireworks are going off this year, pay attention to how your dogs react, and which of these techniques help the most. Make notes, then plan ahead for next year. July 5th is the best day to start the process of preparing your dog for next year's festivities.

Food52

food52.com

Feel like a kid again this Fourth of July with these homemade berry rocket pops.

Mark Boslough

Physicist; Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry

On this Independence Day, it is worth reflecting on the willingness of our founding fathers to sacrifice their own comforts for the future--for many generations to come, including ours.

Leonard Slatkin

Internationally acclaimed conductor

Yes, this piece, celebrating Napoleon's retreat from Russia, has become the unofficial anthem of our most celebrated celebration. The public would forgo Sousa, John Williams and Gershwin but take away Peter Ilyich and all muskets would break out.

Travelzoo

Independence Day is around the corner, and with that in mind, here's a handy list of the big fireworks displays on the Fourth in cities across the U.S. this year.

Alex Wirth

Chair, Campaign for a Presidential Youth Council

Each of these young people is an example of what happens when youth perspectives are brought into government. When young people interact with government they bring innovative ideas, motivation and often a greater spirit of compromise than we currently see among many adult officials.

Martha Burk

Money Editor, Ms. magazine; director, Corporate Accountability Project, National Council of Women's Organizations

On this 237th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the daughters of 2013 still don't have equal constitutional rights with men, though many Americans think otherwise. Nope.

Richard (RJ) Eskow

Writer; Senior Fellow, Campaign for America's Future

The first Declaration of Independence rejected the undemocratic tyranny of British colonizers. The next one must affirm our independence, nonviolently and democratically, from the corporations and billionaires bent on hijacking our government and usurping our democracy.

Catie Parrish

Chief Homemaker, Wayfair.com

Yes, yes, our guests' comfort and happiness are the top priority. But we also want to wow them. We want to create a setting that's clever, pretty, and -- dare I say -- pin-worthy. The good news is there are ways to show your creativity without having to take three days off work.

Dr. Lee Bowes

CEO, America Works of New York, Inc.

There are over 21 million veterans in the United States today. Over 2.6 million men and women have served our country in uniform since 2001. There are hundreds of thousands of veterans who cannot find jobs, but deserve them. They can do the work. I've seen it firsthand.

Justin Moss

Opera Lecturer and Expert

Originally brought to America through tours presenting traditional European operas, to the vaudeville interpretation, and the simultaneous development of jazz, blues, and musical theater, opera in America has searched for its own identity.

MiniTime

www.minitime.com

With the Fourth of July falling on a Thursday this year, millions of families are planning a four-day break to celebrate the holiday. Looking for a place to get your red, white, and blue on? Here are six standout July 4th celebrations in the USA.

Shinz� Abe

96th Prime Minister of Japan, President of the Liberal Democratic Party

We are committed to build a robust Japan that will continue to foster and preserve global commons, and contribute to the peace and stability of the world. In 20 years time, we will marvel at how much Japan has changed.

Steven Raichlen

Grilling Authority, www.barbecuebible.com

Pulled pork is ridiculously simple to make, but it looks and tastes like you've been cooking all day.

Kathy Stevens

Founder and director, Catskill Animal Sanctuary

Here are five reasons to celebrate your independence from a diet that promotes environmental devastation, obesity, disease, and animal suffering.

William H. Lamar IV

Pastor, Turner Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, Hyattsville, MD

Before my political awakening the Fourth was a fun day of barbecue, games, and fellowship with family and friends. Now, I reflect upon this nation's refusal to live up to the syrupy platitudes about liberty and sacrifice our political leaders will serve us like so many hot dogs.

William B. Bradshaw

Author, 'The Big Ten of Grammar: Identifying and Fixing the Ten Most Frequent Grammatical Errors'; 'Sinister Among Us' (a novel about demons); and 'Fundraising: the System that Works." See www.williambbradshaw.com

When I gather with my family to celebrate the Fourth of July, I'm going to tell them about an experience I've had over the past week that makes me even prouder of being a United States citizen. Here's what happened.

Leo W. Gerard

International President, United Steelworkers

As history has shown, radical Republicans won't be content with stealing the vote from the black guy down the street or that Latina woman at church or the college student next door or the senior citizen who relinquished his driver's license. They're coming for your right, too.

David Coates

Worrell Professor of Anglo-American Studies, Wake Forest University, Department of Politics

On July 4th, we will celebrate the 18th century birth of a new nation, conceived in liberty and committed to justice for all. But there can be no genuine liberty for those without the economic and social capacity to enjoy it.

Party Earth

PartyEarth.com

If you're in New York City this summer, celebrate the holiday in style on a Fireworks Cruise, or enjoy a day with the family at the Great 4th of July Festival in the Financial District.

Richard C. Harwood

President, The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation

Some people held their right hand over their heart. Many had taken off their ball caps. And standing there amid the crowd, I could hear the soft strains of folks singing the words to our national anthem.

Lisa M. Dietlin

CEO, Lisa M. Dietlin and Associates, Inc., philanthropic advisor, author

Independence Day is not just a great time to be with family and friends watching fireworks and enjoying the perfect barbeque. It is also a time to reflect on the many gifts we, as Americans, have been given every day, as a community and as a country.