This was the 15th annual children's swearing in, an event that includes a colonially-garbed honor guard, welcomes from various civic and youth groups, speeches by politicians and the symbolic ringing of a bell 13 times - each child rings it once - commemorating the 13 original colonies.
Five of this year's 13 new young citizens were members of the Bade family. Their father, Fode, was a political refugee from Guinea. He received asylum here in 2005 and was thrilled to see his children become citizens.
"When I came here, they give me everything that I need and give me all opportunity. I'm so grateful to this country. I hope the best for this country, for all American people, and may God Bless America and make America the top for the world forever," he said.