Becoming an American on the Birthday of a Nation

Ngoc Zhuy Thi Mai from Vietnam and Mariana Ajyony from Romania say the Pledge of Allegiance July 3, 2009 at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. They were among 1,000 immigrants from more than 100 countries to become new U.S. citizens during a morning ceremony jointly hosted by Disney Parks and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The citizenship ceremony was part of an Independence Day weekend celebration in the Vacation Kingdom which also saw the re-launch of a revised and refreshed "Hall of Presidents" show.

Get a glimpse of the "magical" event by watching the YouTube video, "1,000 Immigrants Celebrate U.S. Citizenship in Independence Day Weekend Ceremony Disney World."

More than 6,000 people in approximately 50 special ceremonies held across the United States and overseas will become American citizens this holiday weekend. Five of these ceremonies are for members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

To our new citizens, congratulations! And to everyone, happy Independence Day!

Photo: Diana Zalucky/Photographer, Courtesy of Walt Disney News