About the Author: Robert D. Hormats serves as Under Secretary of State forEconomic Growth, Energy, and the Environment.

As we gathered last week to celebrate the Fourth of July, I am reminded of what makes America such a great nation of innovation. I am reminded also that “Made in America” means something very special in the United States and around the world. And, I am reminded that the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness bestowed upon all Americans are at the heart of the “American Brand.”

American companies sell innovative, high-quality goods and services that are highly valued. In 2011, Interbrand, the world largest brand consultancy, determined that all of the top ten brands were American: Coca-Cola, IBM, Microsoft, Google, GE, McDonald’s, Intel, Apple, Disney, and Hewlett-Packard. Whether working at home or abroad, these companies, and many others, demonstrate ideals that are paramount to the success and value of their respective brands — they engage… more »

About the Author: Eboni A. Bell serves as an Assistant Editor for DipNote.

This week’s “Photo of the Week” comes to us from the U.S. Consulate General in Milan, Italy and shows finger foods decorated with American flags at their Fourth of July celebration.

On July 4, 2012, Americans around the world joined together for backyard barbeques, family picnics, tug-of-war games, and fireworks to celebrate a day of independence.

At a barbeque celebration on the South Lawn of the White House, President Obama saluted members of the military and thanked them for their service and sacrifice to the country. President Obama said, “All the men and women who stand with us here this afternoon… more »

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton offers remarks celebrating U.S. Independence Day on July 4, 2011. Secretary Clinton’s remarks are followed by those of President Barack Obama.

About the Author: Mark Tauber serves as the Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Innovation has been a vital part of the American experience since the founding of our nation. In fact, you might say the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence are among the first and most important innovations in our history — the announcement of an audacious experiment in representative government at a time of kingdoms and principalities.

President Obama made innovation a key theme of his visit to Latin America in March. The new partnerships he announced in science and lab-to-market research will help to accomplish his vision of shared prosperity throughout the hemisphere. As U.S. Ambassador Anne Slaughter Andrew has traveled throughout Costa Rica, she has also seen how innovation is powering this country’s growth toward developed nation status. For all these reasons, the Ambassador chose “A Salute to American Innovation” as the theme of our Independence… more »