Obama Marks U.S. Independence Day, Thanks Troops

"Generations of Americans made our country what it is today - farmers and teachers, engineers and laborers, entrepreneurs and elected leaders - people from all walks of life, from all parts of the world, all pulling in the same direction. And now we, the people, must make their task our own - to live up to the words of that Declaration of Independence, and secure liberty and opportunity for our own children, and for future generations," Obama said.Obama extended a special note of thanks to military members acknowledging their role in defending the United States.

"People in scattered corners of the world are living in peace today, free to write their own futures, because of you. We are grateful for your service and your sacrifice, especially those still serving in harm's way and your families here at home," Obama said.

People across the United States will gather on Thursday for parades, picnics and fireworks at Independence Day celebrations, held under unprecedented security in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.

A U.S. national security official said on Wednesday (July 3) that U.S. intelligenceagencies were unaware of any attack threat by militants timed to occur on July 4.

This year's Fourth of July celebrations mark one of the largest public gatherings since bombs exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, the biggest attack on American soil since the September 11, 2001 attack on New York's World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon.