Volume 10, Issue 26, June 28, 2010
On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted a statement announcing the dissolution of the official relationship between the Thirteen Colonies and the kingdom of Great Britain. That document came to be known as the Declaration of Independence.
Voicing their desire for self-governance and freedom from tyranny, our founding fathers boldly proclaimed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
All of human history, until that fateful day 234 years ago, had been one long series of nations governed by an unaccountable king or dictator. Looking around the globe today, we still see countries like Iran, North Korea and Cuba where populations are trampled by an iron-fisted dictator. Against the odds, our forefathers created a nation based on individual liberty not oppression.
As we celebrate the July 4th weekend we should take a moment to remember the reasons for our founding is what makes this country so special. Never before had a nation been born from the idea that all men were equal and each person had the right to self-determination.
On this upcoming holiday weekend, take pride in your country and think about how blessed we are to call ourselves Americans. Remember the men who risked their lives to ensure we became the first nation of truly free people. And don't forget to thank our veterans and current military personnel who fought, and continue to fight, to ensure our republic endures.
Sincerely,
