LIFE, LIBERTY, AND PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

This independence day, we celebrate our nation’s 244 anniversary of its formation. What a difference a year has made. While we are not totally out of the woods, July 4, 2021, marks another step towards freedom from the challenges of the pandemic.

It is also an occasion to remember the essential values our nation is founded upon. Our declaration of independence three major promises. All people have certain inalienable Rights including Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness. All people are created equal. People have the freedom to defend their rights and fight for them if denied.

244 years later, these values still hold true. We have made great progress, but more remains to be done. Some of the major steps forward since 1776 include:

1) The Bill of Rights in 1791, with the first Amendment promising freedom of religion.

2) The abolition of slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, followed by the thirteenth amendment abolishing slavery in 1865.

3) The influx of immigrants after the civil war (with the notable exception of Asians who were barred).

4) The 19th amendment of 1920 gave women the right to vote.

5) The Civil Rights act of 1964 abolished segregation and discrimination based on race.

6) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 abolished discrimination based on disability.

7) The Supreme court’s ruling that the Constitution guarantees the right of same-sex couples to marry, in 2015.

Each of these represents a major stride forward as we seek to make our nation more inclusive and freer for all. As a young person, it is exciting to imagine all the steps we will celebrate together over the coming years.

[https://www.history.com/news/8-moments-freedom-us-history]