As the streets of America are bathed in red, white, and blue, and the night skies take on a shimmering cascade of vibrant fireworks, Arnold Schwarzenegger has a message to share with his fellow countrymen.

The former governor of California recently took to Instagram to wish his fans a happy 4th of July. Posting a signed picture of himself, armored in US flags, Schwarzenegger's message goes deeper than mere surface-level festivities.

The 7x Mr. Olympia, instead, wrote an anecdote in his captions from the end of the American Revolution. "There’s a story from the end of the Revolutionary War I want to tell as we celebrate America’s 250th Birthday, and it’s one everyone in the world can learn from," he began.

Right after America achieved victory, George Washington was the talk of the town, and even King George III of Britain wondered what his next steps might look like. Across the ocean, an American painter told the king that Washington would return to his farm.

That's exactly what he did, tending to his 8000 acre Mount Vernon estate in Virginia. Even after serving two terms as the President, Washington returned to his farms.

That's where Arnold Schwarzenegger believes lies the biggest lesson: "The founding of this country was a lesson in serving causes bigger than yourself."

While Schwarzenegger is known for his illustrious career, the 'Austrian Oak' regards "choosing community over selfishness" as the highest of virtues. That's the American dream.

Speaking of which, it seems America has come alive with its July 4th celebrations.

Athletes and bodybuilders join the July 4th celebrations

This Independence Day is a landmark year for the US, celebrating two and a half centuries of freedom and its sky-scraping ambitions. Even as storm conditions delayed President Donald Trump's 'Salute to America' event until 11 pm, the enthusiasm never once wavered.

Fireworks of 860,000 pyrotechnics illuminated the sky before midnight as chants of 'USA, USA' filled the audience stands. Eminent bodybuilders, besides Arnold Schwarzenegger, also joined in on the celebrations.

Men's Open bodybuilder Derek Lunsford wrote on Instagram, "‘MERICA 🗽🇺🇸🦅 Happy 4th of July!!"

Legendary bodybuilder Mike Torchia was also honored as one of the Outstanding Pioneers of the Golden Age of Bodybuilding at the Historic Muscle Beach Championships on July 4th.

In the combat world, UFC head honcho Dana White posted a video of himself with the President, among other MMA fighters.

However, while the festivities continue, we must remember America's humble yet resilient beginnings and Arnold Schwarzenegger's message on unity. How did you celebrate the 4th of July this year?

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Written by

Proma Chatterjee

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi