Freedom

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.

Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776

Our forefathers believed, without doubt, that God created us all equal. He gave or endowed us the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and no one could take these rights away (unalienable = impossible to take away).

On this date, July 4th, 1776, the bells in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, rang.

Even in the midst of financial challenges, we live in a great country! We are free - free to be whoever we want to be.

In many countries, even in this day, you are born into a class, and, in that class, you will remain. I've talked to people from the Middle East who say that they could not open a business, or even go to college, if they wanted to. They did not have the freedom to take the path of their choice as easily as we do in the United States. So, even though they may not agree with our foreign policies, for them, this is still the best country to live in. They have made their home here, and have brought family here.

You may have spoken with people from other countries who came to the United States for freedom, and for a better life. It may have been your parents or grandparents, a friend, or a neighbor. They all came to the the US to follow that dream of freedom!

A little bit of history:

• Between July 1-4, 1776, Congress debated and revised the Declaration of Independence.
  On July 2nd, 1776, Congress declares Independence as the British fleet and army arrive at New York.
• On July 4th, 1776, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
• On July 8th, 1776, the first public reading of Declaration of Independence was held in Philadelphia. On this date, The holiday was first observed in Philadelphia.
• Independence Day or 4th of July was not declared a legal holiday until 1941.

Let freedom ring!
Aunt Janet