Happy Independence Day!
I love all the fireworks and gatherings on 4th of July weekend. I wonder though, do any of us ever stop to think about the genius behind this great document called The Declaration of Independence?
The genius of this document stands the test of time
The Declaration of Independence listed the reasons why the colonies wanted their independence from British rule and included an affirmation of “certain unalienable rights.” Over time the “unalienable rights” quote has become the most well known part of The Declaration of Independence.
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.
This sentence is one of the most famous assertions of human rights and most often quoted sentence in all of American history.
It’s also the basis for most of the freedoms we enjoy. It has been quoted in speeches by great individuals from President Abraham Lincoln to Dr. Martin Luther King to President Barack Obama.
This assertion has done more to shape and guide our nation than many other political principles combined. It’s been a moral compass for not just America but, many political arenas around the world as well.
As I celebrate the birthday of the US, I’m very grateful to the genius of our founding fathers for including this affirmation of our “inalienable rights” in the Declaration of Independence. Without it, I might be persecuted and punished for teaching the principles of developing and using intuition. Had this sentence been left out of The Declaration of Independence we might be living in an entirely different America or different world, for that matter.
Who would we be without this endorsement of our god given equality?
And, who would we be without the unalienable right and liberty to pursue happiness and our individual passions in this life?
This sentence about our “inalienable rights” is firmly planted in the psyche of all Americans. It is the life blood of our citizenry and it is the genius of our founding fathers that planted it there. This one sentence has made us who we are as a people.
It is the sentence that Abolitionists based their fight against slavery upon.
It is this sentence that President Lincoln based his candidacy upon.
It is this sentence that Dr. King quoted when he asked that America deliver on her promise that all men are created equal.
It led to the end of slavery, women getting the vote, the civil rights bill, rights for the disabled, anti-discrimination laws, sexual harassment laws, the marriage equality act in New York and many other protections for segments of the population.
And, it is this sentence that will no doubt play a role in shaping our nation for many years to come – god willing.
I’m overjoyed to celebrate Independence Day and to live in a country where the pursuit of happiness is a right I enjoy – no matter what that pursuit is.
Happy Birthday America and thank you founding fathers for the gift of your genius that still guides us today and allows us – all of us – to pursue our individual dreams.
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P.S. Please don’t forget to subscribe and take your free gift with you when you go – my book, “The Intuition Primer.”
What freedoms are you grateful for? How are you pursuing your happiness and dreams?
Comments
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I was away for the holiday weekend, and I’m enjoying catching up on all the holiday posts. Everyone has something unique and interesting to add to the celebration! I appreciate your focus on going back to the beginning to our foundation built on that famous sentence.
Also interesting to think about the birth and rebirth in more recent times of various countries. I was living in Paris, for example, when the Berlin wall came down. That was followed by the dismantling of the USSR. When I moved here to Portland, one of my colleagues went to Kazakhstan to help them write their constitution for their new country.
Anyway, thanks for adding your own informative and inspirational voice to the day.
Hi Galen,
It is interesting to think how much our freedoms have affected other countries as well.
I think that this sentence may have been a seed in the UN creating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
I just wished that Everyone was able to be as free as we Americans are.
Hi Jonathan,
You and me both!
Wishing our great American friends a wonderful Independence Day from the UK. No hard feelings, huh? But it’s true Angela that every nation and all its peoples should always remember the foundations by which it was founded and built upon both in deed and law. History should not be a mystery and the day a nation was born never go unforgotten or taken for granted. Blessings on the US for more centuries to come.
Hi John,
Thank you so much for the lovely birthday greetings! Naw – no hard feelings!
Hi Angela,
I agree that our founding fathers were geniuses to put that statement in the Declaration of Independence. However, I believe those rights are being trampled on year by year by a corrupt and out of control government. But that isn’t the theme of your post so I don’t want to be a sour puss. All humans regardless of their nationality should have that right, maybe someday we will live in a world where that is possible.
Hi Todd,
God willing all people will have these rights.
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
Happy 4th of July!
Angela, I truly love this celebrational post – and ode to the Birthday of the US. Far too often we celebrate a Holiday without holding the meaning in our minds & hearts. You’ve honored the truth, the spirit, the essence of what this Holiday is – Thank You for this!
🙂
Hi Aileen,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. I had a blast researching it.
It is wonderful to live in freedom, Have a happy 4th of july and look forward to catching up soon
love
Suzie
Hi Suzie,
Thank you so much. Yes, me too.
xoxo
Angela
You’re right Angela! We’re very lucky to live here. Hope you have a wonderful 4th!
Hi Betsy,
Thank you. Happy 4th to you too!
Hi Angela,
The quote of having unalienable rights is a law of the Universe that was so wisely planted into our Constitution.
Rights cannot be given to us by any man or law. We have rights because we exist. The Police State that many citizens find themselves living in is a complete contradiction of unalienable rights.
Free is who we are even though there are others that want us to be anything but free.
Hi Justin,
So true! I do think it speaks to the higher consciousness of our founders though.
Happy 4th of July, Angela! Enjoyed the post!
Hi Vidya,
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the post!