Biden touts vaccines in Fourth of July speech

"This year the Fourth of July is a day of special celebration for we are emerging from the darkness of... a year of pandemic and isolation, a year of pain, fear and heartbreaking loss," Biden told a White House party opened to around 1,000 people, including military families and workers involved in the COVID-19 response.

The largest White House event since Biden took office in January included burgers and fireworks and was geared towards giving Americans something to celebrate as signs of normalcy have returned following a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 600,000 Americans.

Still, the country has fallen short of Biden's goals to have 70% of U.S. adults get at least one vaccine shot by Sunday. The figure is around 67% as some people have resisted getting shots, raising concerns among health officials as the more aggressive Delta variant threatens to generate another surge.

Biden mourned the people who died, praised Americans who aided in the country's emergency response and said vaccines were the best defense against new variants of the virus.

"It's the most patriotic thing you can do," Biden said of getting vaccinated.