President George W. Bush made his first visit to Monticello in Charlottesville, Va, on his last Fourth of July as president. The purpose of the visit to the home of Thomas Jefferson, one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence, was to welcome 72 men and women from 30 countries, including one from Burma, as they prepared to take the oath of citizenship at the annual Independence Day ceremony. Addressing the honorees, the U.S. president discoursed about the passage to citizenship, Jefferson’s heritage and the goals and principles deriving from the Declaration of Independence, elaborated 232 years ago.

“When you raise your hands and take the oath, you will complete an incredible journey,” President Bush said. “That journey has taken you from many different countries; it’s now made you one people. From this day forward, the history of the United States will be part of your heritage. The Fourth of July will be part of your Independence Day. And I will be honored to call you a fellow American.”

The President’s speech was disrupted a number of times by protesters yelling "War criminal!", "This man has brought fascism to our shores!", "Impeach Bush. Impeach Bush. Amend the Constitution." As members of the audience demanded the demonstrators to be quiet, President Bush replied to the disturbances, saying, “We believe in free speech in the United States of America.”

According to an Albemarle County representative, although no arrest had been operated, six protesters, including one in a cartoonish Uncle Sam hat, were escorted away from the event and the crowd of 3,000.

With about 3,000 people becoming new citizens there since 1963, naturalization ceremonies have long been a traditional part of Fourth of July celebrations at Monticello. George W. Bush is the fourth president to take part in the ceremony hold every year at Charlottesville. The others were Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1936, Harry S. Truman, in 1947, and Gerald R. Ford, in 1976.

Dana Perino, the White House Press Secretary, said that this event was an opportunity to honor the President’s 62nd anniversary, on July 6.