FOURTH OF JULY

In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America. When in the Course of human events ...

What American can fail to be stirred by the opening words of the Declaration of Independence, the document that marked the birth of this nation?

Indeed, it was the strongly worded content of the declaration that was intended to rouse up the colonists, many of whom were already exchanging gunfire with British troops, and to unite patriots for the common goal of independence and separation from imperial rule across the Atlantic Ocean.

And stir them up it did. Not only were soon-to-be Americans rallied to the struggle for independence, Europeans also were spurred to adopt democratic innovations in their governments. In the years since 1776, the Declaration of Independence has been used time after time as the touchstone of emerging nations who desire freedom and liberty.

The Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia 220 years ago, had tried to reach an accommodation with Britain over the prickly issues of taxation and self-governance. At first there were attempts to pressure Britain through boycotts. When that wasn't successful, the colonists turned up the heat by organizing an army and a navy and by issuing currency to pay for the fighting. Ultimately, the fight for freedom was successful, thanks in large part to the concepts expressed so eloquently in the Declaration of Independence.

This Fourth of July, as with all of those since 1776, the nation recalls the passion and dedication of those who favored freedom. The fireworks, the picnics, the band concerts, the parades -- all in some way are the expressions of Americans who enjoy the fruits of those who risked their lives to make a free nation.

There are some who would say that the United States of America is faltering as it struggles with modern issues the Founding Father would never have dreamed of. But the truth is that America is one of the few nations on Earth whose democracy can adapt when needed without giving up basic rights.

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.