Possibly alluding to the recent Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage and the mass shooting of a historically black church in Charleston, S.C., Obama said in his weekly address that the Declaration of Independence "binds together" a "dynamic and diverse country" and we must honor those who make the country "better, stronger, more inclusive and more hopeful."

"It's been the work of each successive generation to keep this founding creed safe by making sure its words apply to every single American," Obama said. "Folks have fought, marched, protested, even died for that endeavor, proving that as Americans, our destiny is not written for us, but by us."

He exhorted Americans to remember the words of the nation's founders.

"We are of all races, we come from all places, we practice all faiths, and believe in all sorts of different ideas," Obama said. "But our allegiance to this declaration — this idea — is the creed that binds us together. It's what, out of many, makes us one. "

He reminded Americans to remember servicemen and women and their families, and said that he has invited several hundred military members to his backyard barbecue to celebrate this July 4th. They'll be celebrating his daughter Malia's birthday, grilling, and watching the fireworks, he said.

Obama concluded by wishing good luck to the women's soccer team in Sunday's World Cup final.