The govenator is coming to Northern Virginia, and he’ll be here to welcome some of the nation’s newest citizens.
Former California governor and “Terminator” star Arnold Schwarzenegger will give the marquee address at a naturalization ceremony at George Washington’s Mount Vernon on the Fourth of July. Schwarzenegger will address over 100 newly sworn-in citizens at 10 a.m.
The Austrian-born bodybuilding icon became a U.S. citizen in 1983.
“The day I raised my right hand and became an American citizen was, without a doubt, one of the greatest days of my life,” Schwarzenegger said in a news release. “If you told me on that day that 43 years later I would be standing at Mount Vernon, the home of one of my heroes and a historic symbol of freedom and democracy, to welcome more new citizens, I would have been shocked.
“But that’s the beauty of the United States of America: nothing is impossible,” Schwarzenegger continued. “I owe everything to this country, and I can’t wait to share this moment with these new citizens to remind them of the limitless opportunity afforded by their new home. I hope they will feel the same debt of gratitude that I’ve tried to repay throughout my whole life by giving back, being committed to our Constitution, and united by our shared values.”
IMDb.com lists Schwarzenegger as the second-most popular celebrity in the world.
The actor-turned-politician’s July Fourth remarks will be part of a full day of historical programming at Mount Vernon, home to America’s first president. It includes:
- An American Celebration on July 4: Visitors can enjoy daytime fireworks, hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence, watch military drills, listen to the National Concert Band and engage with 18th-century character interpreters. Guests can also visit the Patriots Path military encampment, watch the 18th-century baking process and attend a wreath-laying at Washington’s tomb.
- Independence Day Evening Fireworks: Going off on June 27, June 28 and July 4, along with 18th-century music, activities and entertainment.
The full July Fourth schedule is available here.
Mount Vernon is currently undergoing a substantial Mansion Revitalization project. Preservation teams are restoring the framing, masonry, drainage and environmental controls of the mansion, “ensuring America’s first president’s home will be ready to receive millions of guests for generations to come,” the release states.
The estate – which remains open during the preservation efforts – includes the mansion, a museum and education center, gardens, tombs, a working farm, functioning distillery, gristmill and the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.
Mount Vernon is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, the oldest national historic preservation organization in the country.
This article was written by FFXnow’s news partner InsideNoVa.com and republished with permission. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com’s free email subscription today.
