New York City [US], July 5 (ANI): As the US marks its 250th Independence anniversary celebrations, Vice President JD Vance called for greater American unity and recalled the contributions of people from all walks of life in key milestones of American history.

Delivering his remarks aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, during the Sail 250 parade of ships in New York Harbour, Vance listed key moments from American history, such as recalling the country's role 'saving the world from tyranny' during World War II to sending people to the moon and underlined the contributions of common citizens in making these happen.

'When we saved the world in World War II from tyranny in the 20th century, we needed great military leadership and tactical genius from our generals. But we also needed Rosie the Riveter, Iowa farm girls who built the machinery of war and the sweethearts they sent to a world away,' Vance said.

He added, 'When we went to the moon, of course, our great astronauts flew the rockets and our great men of science and engineering built them. But there were clerks and janitors and welders like my grandfather who each played their distinctive American part. All of us have a part. All of us had our part, our role to play in creating 250 years of a proud American story.'

VP Vance calls on Americans to reject 'zero-sum thinking' and division as the nation marks its historic 250th birthday.

Speaking on the milestone anniversary, Vance underlined how America's history is defined by unity and a shared mission, rather than a narrow focus on the nation's past flaws.

'What I'd ask you to do, my fellow Americans, on our 250th birthday, is to reject the two-dimensional view of your fellow citizens, and reject the two-dimensional view of your country. Reject that America is a place for zero-sum thinking because it is not; our history is one of people carving a great civilisation out of the wilderness. Reject the view of your nation that sees only its sins, but not its grace and its greatness.'

'Everything we have done as a country, we have done together. Not as citizens divided against each other but as a common people working towards a common future.'

His remarks are being seen as a veiled dig at the New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who in his message for America's 250th anniversary termed patriotism as 'every act of righteous dissent'.

'Today and all days, let us remember that patriotism is not pretending our nation is without flaws. Patriotism is every act of righteous dissent -- because loving our country means fighting for the best version of it,' he said in his message on X.

https://x.com/NYCMayor/status/2073381502839050361?s=20

In his remarks, he urged Americans to participate in creating the next 250 years of American greatness and said, 'I say to all my fellow Americans, I'm proud of you. Happy birthday. And happy birthday to our great nation,' the US Vice President said.

On July 4, America is celebrating 250 years of independence.

The White House on its official website noted that under President Trump, the United States is executing a full year of festivities, which began on Memorial Day, 2025, and will continue through the end of 2026. As the celebrations kick off in the US, First Lady Melania Trump extended wishes and in a post on X said, 'Freedom is more than a constitutional principle. Individual Liberty is the foundation that lets one create, build businesses, challenge convention, and pursue ideas without fear. Self-determination inspires different thinking. It's the same free will our founders fought for in 1776 - and the same natural rights America protects today. Happy 250th birthday, USA!'

The White House is engaging all levels of government, the private sector, non-profit and educational institutions, and every citizen across the country to celebrate this historic milestone. (ANI)