On Thursday evening, the Chargé d'Affaires ad imterim at the US Embassy in Luxembourg, Alison Shorter-Lawrence, held a reception in the grounds and residence at the embassy in Limpertsberg to celectrate the 239th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In attendance were government ministers, including Corinne Cahen, ambassadors including those from Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands and Finland, plus representatives of government departments, trade associations and businesses in the Grand Duchy.

The grounds had been decked out in red, white and blue and a detachment of US Marines performed a colour guard before the Chargé d'Affaires ai addressed the large attendance. She referred to the Declaration of Independence as "the document that founded the United States of America and which put forth the radical new idea that all men are created equal and have certain rights governments cannot take away". She referred to the country being built on the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and mentioned that "this year we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act... American leadership has sought to protect the rights of all persons with disabilities and in doing so our influence has expanded well boyond our borders and around the world."

She talked about an event earlier this week when the US Embassy in Luxembourg hosted the Luxembourg Special Olympics Team who will be travelling to Los Angeles this month to compete in the games. And she also referred to throughout the month of June, the US Embassy in Luxembourg flew the LGBT flag on their flagpole right under the Stars and Stripes: Us President Obama had declared June "National LGBT Pride Month". The US Supreme Court voted to legalise same-sex marriage last week in a historic move.

"The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights. Indeed, when they wrote those words they truly meant only "men" and only white men. But in the 239 years since the signing of the Declaration, we have come a long way" she added.

The reception continued in glorious sunshine and temperatures in excess of 30C with American wines and finger food being served. The theme of "American Music Through the Ages" was ensured with the liev band who performed a variety of different music; Alison Shorter-Lawrence had referred to America's "melting-pop heritage" including percussive rhythms from Africans who arrived on their shores 300 years ago, stringed instruments from the Scots that evolved into Bluegrass, to the Latinos who arrived more recently with their musical energy and tempo.

One display included designs for the invitations created by the Senior Art Class at the Lycée Classique in Diekirch.

Photos by Geoff Thompson