Following last week’s arrest of an African-American professor in Boston, an incident President Obama referred to as “a teachable moment,” the professor and the police officer stopped by the White House, for a beer with Obama and Vice President Biden.

Dubbed “the beer summit” by many in the media, the two joined Obama and Biden for beers and snacks at a table on the White House lawn. Press were allowed to take photos from a distance but little information was released about the event.

The arrest had sparked a debate about the treatment of African Americans by police – this debate was not just in the United States, as evidence by the range of comments from different countries on this blog.

“I have always believed that what brings us together is stronger than what pulls us apart,” Obama said in a statement following the meeting. “I am confident that has happened here tonight, and I am hopeful that all of us are able to draw this positive lesson from this episode.”

Across the world, Americans celebrated the United States’ 233rd birthday. At the White House, the Obamas invited military families to watch the fireworks.

“Just imagine the extraordinary audacity it took, 233 years ago for a group of patriots to … put ideas to paper that were as simple as they were revolutionary: that we are equal; that we are free; that we can pursue our full measure of happiness and make of our lives what we will,” Obama said.

The Obamas had another birthday to celebrate July 4 – daughter Malia turned 11 that day.

Vice President Joe Biden spent the July 4 holiday with U.S. troops serving in Iraq, among those troops, 237 new U.S. citizens. Biden oversaw their swearing in ceremony. Biden also had the opportunity to see his son Beau, a member of the Delaware National Guard, currently serving in Iraq.

As are people around the world, members of the Obama administration are closely watching news from Iran, following June 12’s disputed presidential election.

“Like the rest of the world, we were impressed by the vigorous debate and enthusiasm that this election generated, particularly among young Iranians,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a press statement June 13. “We continue to monitor the entire situation closely.”

“We don’t have enough facts to make a firm judgment” of the election in Iran, Vice President Biden said June 14. “The hope is that the Iranian people, all their votes have been counted, they’ve been counted fairly,” Biden said, adding that the United States seeks better analysis of the results.

No matter the election’s result, Biden said, the United States interests are the same: for Iran to stop seeking nuclear weapons and to stop supporting terrorists.

Vice President Joe Biden is in the midst of a tour of the Balkans as part of an initiative to demonstrate “intensified U.S. engagement” in the region. Yesterday he was in Bosnia-Herzegovina, today he is in Serbia and tomorrow he’ll be visiting Kosovo.

Speaking to Bosnia-Herzegovina’s parliament May 19, Biden told the legislators that the United States has been worried about the direction of the country. “For three years we have seen a sharp and dangerous rise in nationalist rhetoric designed to play on people’s fears to stir up anger and resentment,” he said.

“You must focus your talent and energy on issues of undisputed interest to all Bosnians — creating jobs, growing the economy, educating your children,” Biden said.

In Serbia, Biden met with the country’s president, Boris Tadic. “The region cannot fully succeed without Serbia playing the constructive and leading role,” Biden said. Biden’s visit was the highest level visit by a U.S. official to Serbia in more than 30 years.

Israeli president Shimon Peres stopped by the White House May 5 to meet with President Obama. Few details were released about their meeting or discussions on Middle East peace. However, on the same day Vice President Biden said “Israel has to work towards a two-state solution.”

Speaking before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC,) Biden said the U.S. commitment to Israel’s peace and security is “not negotiable” and “not a matter of change” under the Obama administration. The “basic responsibility” of the United States is to ensure “that there will always, always be a place for Jews of the world to go … and that place always must be Israel.”

For more see “Biden Urges Israel to End Settlements, Back Two-State Solution.”

Sneaking out during the work day for lunch can be tough for anyone, but it’s especially difficult when you are the president and vice president. On May 5, President Obama and Vice President Biden decided to take an unscheduled trip across the Potomac River to Arlington, Virginia to get a bite to eat.

When Obama and Biden stopped by the popular Ray’s Hell Burger, a small burgers-only establishment, it drew quite a scene as dozens of reporters, photographers and curious onlookers gathered near the restaurant. Political blogs reported on their rumored orders: Obama got a cheddar burger with mustard, Biden got one with Swiss cheese and jalapenos.

Both paid the full $6.95 per burger.