How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Independence Day.
Quote #1
STEVE: Look, why don't you get some things packed and you and Dylan come stay with me on the base? And you will see that there is nothing to be scared of.
When Steve has to leave for the base to help with the alien sitch, he invites his girlfriend, Jasmine, to come with—since she's (understandably) freaking out about all the ships in the sky. Steve is putting on a brave face and, whether he believes it or not, trying to keep Jasmine from assuming the aliens are hostile.
Quote #2
PRESIDENT: Although it's understandable that many of us feel a sense of hesitation or even fear, we must attempt to reserve judgment.
When the aliens first arrive, the President attempts to calm people's fears—after all, he suggests, we don't know for sure that they're up to anything, right?
Quote #3
TV BROADCASTER: And our prayers go out to the wives and children of those brave pilots.
Oops, it turns out that the aliens were up to something, and they killed a bunch of pilots who had approached a ship in an attempt to communicate.
Quote #4
JIMMY: You scared, man?
STEVE: Nope. You?
JIMMY: Nope. Hold me!
Jimmy and Steve are clearly both scared before heading out on their assault against the aliens, but they are pretending not to be and goofing around anyway.
Quote #5
PRESIDENT: Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July. And you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression or persecution, but from annihilation. We're fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice, "We will not go quietly into the night. We will not vanish without a fight. We're going to live on! We're going to survive!" Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!
This is the President's big moment. He's having kind of a rough time when the film begins, politically speaking—in being forced to play politics, he seems to have lost some of the mojo that got him into office. Here, though, he's strong, bold, and inspiring as he speaks to the entire world about the need to stand up to the aliens. You know how they say the President of the United States is "the leader of the free world"? Well, here, he really is presenting himself as the head of the entire planet, trying to unite everyone across the world against their common enemy.
Quote #6
GENERAL GREY: Mr. President, I'd sure like to know what you're doing.
PRESIDENT: I'm a combat pilot, Will. I belong in the air.
After giving that dynamite speech, the President then hops in a plane to lend a hand to the fighter pilots going after the alien ships. What a brave guy.
Quote #7
RUSSELL: Sorry I'm late, Mr. President! I kinda got hung up back there!
THE PRESIDENT: Pilot, you armed?
RUSSELL: Armed and ready, sir! I'm packin'!
COMMS GUY: Who is that guy?
GENERAL GREY: Put him on speaker.
MAJOR: Pilot, identify yourself.
RUSSELL: It's me! Russell Casse, sir. I told you I wouldn't let you down! Just keep those guys off me for a few more seconds, will ya?
When the rest of the pilots run out of ammo in their battle against one of the ships, Russell saves the day by driving his plane directly into the alien vessel. Yup, he sacrifices his life to make sure that ship goes down—pretty brave, if you ask us.
Quote #8
MAJOR: What your father did was very brave. You should be proud of him.
MIGUEL: I am.
Listening in from the command center, Miguel hears his father, Russell, decide to sacrifice himself to destroy the alien ship. Obviously, Miguel's devastated, but he's also proud—which is a nice change from the shame/mortification he has been feeling where his dad was concerned for most of the film.