"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness"
How did these words become the most important in
the Declaration of Independence?
The answer starts with a small band of motivated Americans.
In America's revolutionary history, no document is more iconic than the Declaration of Independence, the short but sweeping statement issued by Congress on July 4, 1776, severing bonds with Britain and launching the Colonies on their path to independence. But what does the Declaration of Independence actually declare? For most Americans today, the answer is embodied in the opening sentence of the second paragraph: "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."
Perhaps no sentence in American history is better known or has had a greater impact that these powerful words about equality and rights. It is no wonder then that schoolchildren memorize this sentence, that adults consider it the founding creed of America's civil religion, or that this and other newspapers will highlight these words on their editorial pages tomorrow...
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It is inspiring to live in a place where we have limitless opportunities as business professionals.
- The Right to Life - protects the individual's ability to take all those actions necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of his life.
- The Right to Liberty - protects the individual's ability to think and to act on his own judgement.
- The Right to Pursue Happiness - protects the individual's ability to live for his own sake, rather than for the sake of society.
Wishing you a fun and safe July 4th!
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