Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the storyPHOENIX -- Tens of thousands of people crowded into Steele Indian School Park Saturday, many of them waiting up to nine hours for the fourth of July fireworks show to begin.
Vernon Diebert told ABC15 News Independence Day means "freedom for our rights."
For Diebert and many other youngsters who celebrated at the park with carnival rides, water slides and splash parks, there is a lesson behind a day of fun and festivities with family.
For most of them at least.
Lauren Nunes said she didn't know what the celebration was all about, but that for her it meant spending time with her grandfather and family.
Chris Bertolino, who was selling turtles and light sticks to the crowd, guessed America gained independence in 1779.
Sommer Overfield didn't know either.
But although many people didn't know the date, they know what America stands for, and what their country's independence means to them.
"Although we have poverty in our country, poverty in the United States is a hell of a lot better than poverty somewhere else," said Bertolino.
"I was in Iraq last year, so I definitely know how we're fighting for, what we're fighting for over there, and what's going on over there," said Patrick McKenna, who answered history questions correctly.
Fatima Udero, who was there with her family, wore a Sept. 11 shirt. She said it was to remind people of American values, like "freedom and our way of life, and the happiness that we can have here in this country."
"We're really lucky not to have to go through a lot of the struggles that a lot of the countries have to go through," said Overfield. "We have a lot of freedom, so it's good to be an American."
