25 New Citizens Celebrate Bill of Rights Day With National Archives
By Pete Lewis | National Archives News
WASHINGTON, December 17, 2024 – On Friday, December 13, 25 people from 25 nations were sworn in as U.S. citizens in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. The petitioners took the oath of allegiance in front of the nation’s Founding Documents: the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence.
Newly naturalized citizens celebrate in the Rotunda of the National Archives, December 13, 2024 during a special event in celebration of Bill of Rights Day. (National Archives photo by Susana Raab)
Naturalization ceremonies are traditionally held twice annually in the Rotunda, once on September 17 to celebrate Constitution Day and again in December to mark Bill of Rights Day.
Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan hosted the naturalization ceremony, and Chief Judge James E. Boasberg, District of Columbia, presided as the petitioners took their oaths of citizenship. Students from MacArthur High School recited the Preamble of the Constitution.
Shogan spoke to the new citizens about the upcoming addition of the Emancipation Proclamation to the Rotunda of the National Archives.
“In January 2026, we will add that document, the Emancipation Proclamation, to permanent display here in the Rotunda. It will take its rightful place along that wall because it represents the continued refounding of our republic,” Shogan said. “The expansion of rights to all Americans is possible because our Constitution empowers citizens to work together to form a more perfect union.”
Emmy award–winning public television host, best‐selling cookbook author, restaurateur, and owner of a food and entertainment business Lidia Bastianich served as a special speaker.
Judge Boasberg said that he initially viewed having to oversee naturalization ceremonies as a chore, but that his mind was quickly changed.
“People from all over the world who have worked so hard to attain their citizenship, family members all gathered to celebrate the big day,” Boasberg said. “I was overcome by how impressive it is, and I now circle it on my judicial calendar as my favorite event to participate in each year.”
The 25 new citizens are originally from Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Poland, Serbia, and Spain.
The new citizens spoke about the importance of the event to their lives and their families following the ceremony.
"I am proud to become a U.S. citizen,” said Robel Tilahun, originally from Ethiopia. “I feel like I won the lottery to have my ceremony at the National Archives. God bless America many times over."
"It has been a long journey. I am more than happy to finally become a U.S. citizen, and in a unique place holding the history of this great nation,” said Thorsten Prustel, who came from Germany. “There is no better place than the National Archives for this ceremony. To become a U.S. citizen right next to the Constitution is perfect."
This year’s Bill of Rights Day commemorates the 233rd anniversary of the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Learn more online about the Bill of Rights through our public programs, family activities, and online resources.
Visit the National Archives online for more news, and view the Calendar of Events for upcoming programs.