To come from immigrants is to know and carry greatness.

To be an American is to have freedom to travel in pursuit of happiness.

The American Dream is to build something from nothing.

But the American Dream existed long before the concept was given a name.

And Americans existed on this land long before it was claimed and renamed.

And so, you see, to call yourself an American is to acknowledge your immigrant story: of those who came before you, traveled in pursuit of happiness, and dared to build something from nothing.

Being American is to honor those journeys that shape us, to build a future from the greatness we have been given—and the greatness we have had to leave behind. 

I celebrate being American, proudly from there and from here. Thinking about 10 generations into the future, I would tell my descendants that they too carry greatness, that they may travel in the pursuit of happiness and to dare to build something from the greatness they carry.

Music you can celebrate with: 

Bibi Bidi Bom Bom by Selena Quintanilla

Somos Mas Americanos by Los Tigres del Norte 

Vivir Mi Vida by Marc Anthony 

Hermoso Cariño by Vicente Fernandez 

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong 

Conga! By Gloria Estefan, Miami Sound Machine