New Hampshire Swears In US Citizens Over Fourth of July

7,500 new citizens were naturalized in 110 ceremonies over the holiday, with nearly 100 at Portsmouth's Strawberry Banke, according to WMUR.

The United States of America celebrated another year of independence on Thursday, and the news station reported that 81 naturalized citizens recited the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time.

According to WMUR, immigrants originating from 35 countries gathered in New Hampshire’s oldest neighborhood to be sworn in as new Americans. The significance of becoming a citizen on such an important day left many reflective.

“I’m a citizen today. I’m happy,” Gloira Hoyus told WMUR.

Hoyus’ family is very proud of her. “She would study day and night, like day and night,” her granddaughter Valeria Escobar said to WMUR.

Many of those who became citizens encountered hardships on their path to citizenship.

William Liriano told WMUR News 9: “The first time I applied, my paper was misplaced in the post office and they didn’t receive it, so I had to start all over from zero.”