Photo: Fireworks at the White House


A crowd watches as fireworks erupt over the National Mall (July 4, 2012)

July 4th, President Obama welcomed more than 1,200 military service members and their families to the White House to celebrate the Fourth of July.

The event, organized by the USO, featured a performance by country music star Brad Paisley. As Paisley and his band finished their final song (“Welcome to the Future”), fireworks began over the National Mall.