How the Obamas Celebrated the Fourth of July

On the Fourth of July, President Obama reminded thousands of military families celebrating the holiday in his backyard that American freedom comes at a cost.

"Freedom is not free. It's paid by all the folks who are here today and all the folks who are around the world," the president said Saturday at an Independence Day party on the White House South Lawn.

"Without you, we could not enjoy the incredible blessings that we do in this greatest country on Earth," Obama said, just moments before a pyrotechnics display exploded over the National Mall. "Michelle and I, Malia, Sasha -- we could not be more privileged to have gotten to know so many of you, and to know all the sacrifices that you make on our behalf each and every day."

According to the White House, the first family watched the fireworks from the South Portico.

The families -- who had originally been invited to a barbecue earlier in the day that was cancelled because of rain -- also enjoyed a concert by pop singer Bruno Mars, sponsored by the USO.