Having lived in the United States for more than seven years, I came to appreciate the country and its people - and to understand that the Fourth of July is far more than a national celebration. It reflects a civic culture deeply rooted in the nation's history, institutions and shared identity, something best appreciated by experiencing it from within.

What is less widely recognized is that Spain was present at the very beginning of that story. Beyond diplomatic recognition, Spain provided financial support to the American cause and, under Bernardo de Gálvez, opened a decisive military front against Britain along the Gulf Coast. It is encouraging to see that, during this semiquincentennial year, institutions such as the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute and the Daughters of the American Revolution are helping bring this shared history back into public view.

Two and a half centuries later, the relationship continues to be shaped not only by political leadership but by enduring institutional cooperation - in defence, science, innovation, education and, increasingly, artificial intelligence. These are the foundations that sustain the transatlantic partnership well beyond electoral cycles.

Having worked across European institutions and international organisations, and having lived on both sides of the Atlantic, I have come to believe that one of today's most valuable strategic capabilities is the ability to translate different institutional cultures into effective cooperation.

On this Independence Day, it is worth celebrating not only the history that Spain and the United States share, but also the institutions, partnerships and people who continue translating that shared legacy into cooperation for the future.

Happy Independence Day — and to the enduring strength of the transatlantic partnership. 🇺🇸🇪🇸